Sittwe residents live under surveillance as junta installs solar-powered CCTV

Narinjara News, 22 March 2026

Despite persistent power shortages in the Rakhine capital city of Sittwe, the military junta has installed a 24-hour surveillance network with solar-powered CCTV cameras in almost every intersection on the streets.

Even though the residents are suffering from continuous blackouts, the authorities have prioritized energy for monitoring the residents. A set of high-tech cameras equipped with independent solar panels are not fitted over traffic lights precisely on Min Bagy and Mayu roads along with areas surrounding all local pagodas.

The residents informed that the buildup had intensified in the last few months, but the increased security arrangements have not reduced the incidents of crime.

“CCTVs are everywhere now, even at the traffic lights,” said one local woman. “But even with all this equipment, no one is being caught for theft. It’s clear that these aren't for public safety and only being used to track political activists and military suspects,” she added.

The surveillance has created a climate of fear. Another resident noted that the presence of those cameras has changed the usual behaviour of locals.

“People are suspicious and even afraid to talk on their phones outside. They are reportedly being monitored 24 hours a day, regardless of how bad the phone signal is. Everyone is watched as the junta does not believe their own employees too,” said the lady

Social media reports stated that since March 2025 the military government has installed nearly 700 solar streetlights to illuminate the city. Later the military council started mounting cameras on those poles and other strategic structures.

The heightened surveillance followed by the gaining ground for the Arakan Army (AA) across the Rakhine region. The AA fighters have already captured 14 townships. Now the capital city remains one of few junta strongholds.

Many believe that the junta’s digital crackdown is a desperate attempt to root out the AA sympathizers who put information to the armed revolutionary outfit.

The current surveillance push is an expansion of the 2018 project under the previous government, which spent Kyats 1.2 billion to install security cameras in the city.