Artillery shell injures one, damages homes in Kyauktaw Twsp village

By Hnin Nwe 05 Jun 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
5 June, Kyauktaw

One civilian was injured and houses were damaged by an artillery shell in Dotekan Chaung village, Kyauktaw Township, allegedly launched by naval forces in the area, according to the village administrator.

A military watercraft moving along the Kaladan River from Sittwe to Kyauktaw opened fire near Dotekan Chaung village at about 12:30 a.m. on June 4, the village administrator U Phyo Wai told DMG.

“When villagers heard the sound of gunfire, they hid in bomb shelters at their houses. Those who do not have bomb shelters, they were hiding under their houses. The injured man was hit while he was hiding under his house,” U Phyo Wai said.

U Than Maung, 43, has been provided medical treatment at the village clinic because his thigh injury is not serious, residents said.

About 10 houses were damaged or destroyed and a cow was killed by shrapnel, said Pyithu Hluttaw lawmaker U Oo Tun Win from Kyauktaw Township.

Villagers said there were no clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army near the village on the day that the Tatmadaw’s naval unit allegedly opened fire.

DMG phoned Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun from the Tatmadaw True News Information Team and Colonel Win Zaw Oo from the military’s Western Command seeking comment on the shelling, but they could not be reached.

The civilian casualty count has been steadily rising due to the conflict between the Tatmadaw and the AA, which is playing out across Arakan State and parts of southern Chin State. More than 40 civilians were killed and over 90 others injured in April and May, according to figures compiled by DMG.

Amyotha Hluttaw lawmaker U Khin Maung Latt said the government needed to thoroughly investigate the matter of civilian casualties.

“An independent committee should be established with members of CSOs [civil society organisations], religious organisations and political parties to investigate such cases so that the international community believes in the committee. And those who are found guilty shall be held accountable. If so, the rate of civilian casualty will decrease,” he said.