Arakanese ire raised over citizenship verification drive
The Arakan State government’s ongoing citizenship verification process has caused disquiet among local Arakanese, some of whom contend that immigration officials are overly accommodating of unwarranted claims.
The citizenship verification process, a largely ill-defined scheme that involves non-nationals providing proof of Burma-born ancestry, has led to several disputes with protesting Arakanese in northern Arakan State, according to Soe Naing, district officer for immigration and population in Buthidaung Township.
“We are trying to issue [national registration cards] in accordance with the 1982 [citizenship] law but local people argue with us. We explain the process to them but they don’t accept it,” he told The Irrawaddy.
