ALP denies involvement in Sittwe massacre

By Admin 03 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 June 2024, Sittwe

The Arakan Liberation Party/Arakan Liberation Army (ALP/ALA)) has denied involvement in the massacre in Byaing Phyu Village in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, saying such allegations are false.

The Facebook page of the ALP, led by Saw Mra Razar Lin, said it was just an accusation made by the rival Arakkha Army (AA).

ALP spokesman Khaing Aung Naing wrote: “Our party was unfairly dragged into the Byaing Phyu massacre. It was false news aimed at dividing us and the people. We strongly condemn the false news created by [a social media account using the name] Lucky, and [AA spokesman] Khaing Thukha for unfairly dragging [ALP] into this case in his interview with the Narinjara.”

News agencies and AA lobbyists are spreading false news to sully the reputation of the ALP and its leadership, he added, calling on accusers to show evidence, if they have any, that ALP members were involved in the massacre.

“Why would we have [reason] to kill Byaing Phyu residents? Are we not Arakanese people ourselves? We are working for Arakan State and the Arakanese people. AA lobbyists will believe that we killed Byaing Phyu residents. People who have rationality would not buy that,” said Khaing Aung Naing.

In its statement on Sunday, the AA said the regime slaughtered 53 villagers, raped women, and burnt many of their bodies.

The statement reported that more than 100 troops including members of the Sittwe-based Regional Operations Command and 101st Light Infantry Division based in Pakokku, members of the ALP and Muslim conscripts entered Byaing Phyu on Wednesday and arrested everyone they could find in the village, including elderly people and children.

They were tied up, denied food and water, tortured and shot dead, according to the AA and survivors. 

The AA has warned that it will harshly retaliate against anyone involved in the massacre.