ANP sent open letter to the government for Tatmadaw’s attack on villagers

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 03 May 2019

Khin Tharaphy Oo/ DMG

May 3, Sittwe

The Arakan National Party (ANP) sent an open letter to the heads of government on May 2 to take immediate action against some soldiers who attacked civilians during military operations in Northern Arakan State.

“We called for the heads of the Union level government to take action to prevent similar acts from repeating,” U Tun Aung Kyaw, general secretary of the ANP said.

Some soldiers wrongly accused villagers and attacked in residential areas in Minbya, Buthidaung and Rathedaung Townships, some civilians were killed and injured, the ANP said in its open letter.

Moreover, some members of military troops arrested villagers for asking questions in Kyauktan village, Rathedaung Township, on May 1 gunfire occurred because relevant authorities failed to stop it in time, the barrage resulted in many killed and injured people, it said.

“Some villagers were shot dead or severely injured because of the outbreak of firing while soldiers were asking questions to detained villagers. And family members did not see the corpses of the dead villagers,” U Tun Aung Kyaw said.

The union government has a responsibility for the development of the life and prosperity of citizens, it needs to protect its people, he added.

The ANP sent their open letter to the President, State Counsellor, Commander-in- Chief and Myanmar National Human Right Commission.