Gunfire occurs during UN High Commissioner for Refugees visit in Arakan State

By Cha Lu Aung 20 May 2019

Cha Lu Aung/ DMG

May 20, Maungdaw

A gunfire broke out in Buthidaung Township while United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Filippo Grandi was visiting Arakan State.

The gunfire occurred on the night of May 20 at about 7 p.m in Kyar Nyo Pyin village in Buthidaung Township.

The outbreak of gunfire was the result of quarrel between three men and a ferry operator about hiring a ferry, said U Aung Thein Hla, administrator of Kyar Nyo Pyin village. The ferry operator was stabbed three times, he added.

“The boatman was told to take the three men them to Buthidaung. But he refused to do it because it was night. So, the men pulled out guns and started shooting them in the air,” he explained.

Authorities arranged to send the ferry operator, named U Soe Win Naing, 38, to Buthidaung hospital.

The DMG contacted Buthidaung Township administrator U Kyaw Min Tun, he said that the incident was under investigation and they were arranging to send the injured man to hospital.

Mr Filippo Grandi and a delegation arrived in Maungdaw Town to inspect Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships.