The command to cut off the internet connection in eight townships within Rakhine State and one township in Chin State has nothing to do with the Tatmadaw, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team, at a press conference at Defence Service Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on June 22.

Since June 22, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has directed all mobile operators to temporarily suspended internet services in conflict-hit Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Yathaedaung, Ponnagyan, Kyauktaw, MraukU and Minbya townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa township in Chin State. But phone calls and SMS services are still available.

Soe Thein, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications said: “The region has no stability and rule of law. With the approval of the government, the ministry suspended internet connection as it may hamper the interests of people according to Section 77 of the Telecommunication Law. The internet service will resume when the peace and stability are restored to the region.”