Traders on edge after triple murder on Kaladan River

By Admin 03 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 October 2024, Paletwa

Traders in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State, have expressed concerns for their safety after three Paletwa residents delivering goods to Kyauktaw Town by boat along the Kaladan River were killed last month.

U Hsan Aung, 61, his 26-year-old son and 13-year-old grandson from Maung Hnama Village in Paletwa Township went missing while delivering goods from the Indian border to Kyauktaw Town by boat on September 8.

Their bodies were found along the shore of the Kaladan River in Paletwa Township, with knife wounds, by boatmen on September 15.

Myanmar’s military regime has essentially cut off Arakan State from the rest of the country following the resumption of hostilities between its forces and the Arakkha Army (AA) in November of last year, forcing residents to import basic foodstuffs from India via Paletwa.

“Merchants have been frightened by the murders,” said a merchant from Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township. “Similar incidents could happen again if the perpetrators can’t be identified. Such crimes can disrupt the flow of commodities, and they must be effectively addressed.”

Traders have called on the AA to redouble its law enforcement efforts in the area.

One trader from Kyauktaw Township said: “It is a heinous crime to kill people and steal belongings. Authorities must make sure similar crimes do not happen again. It is a cause for concern not only for the safety of traders but also for locals.”

The victims were ethnic Khumi and goods that they were delivering worth 30 million kyats were also lost. Family members have filed a complaint with the AA.

AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha has not yet responded to a DMG request for comment.