Pauktaw peace shattered by artillery fire from river, locals say

29 Oct 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
29 October 2020, Pauktaw

Five people including a 6-year-old child were injured by artillery fire from a Tatmadaw naval vessel in Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township on October 29, locals said, bringing the broader Arakan conflict to a township that had enjoyed relative peace prior to this week’s shelling. 

Two people in their 50s, two in their 30s and 6-year-old Oo Mya Win from Kyawshin village were wounded on Thursday afternoon, said U Oo Tha Hla, a 100-household head of neighbouring Shwegyin village. 

“The heavy weapon shell launched from the river, 4 miles from our village, fell on the house of Thar Tun Aye. The shell passed through the house to the north and fell in the group of families while they were talking. They were injured in the incident,” U Oo Tha Hla recounted. “The house where the shell fell first was damaged.” 

The injured are receiving medical treatment at Pauktaw Township People’s Hospital.  

“We have never heard such firing in Pauktaw Township,” said U Kyaw Thet Khant from Kyawshin village. “Today, as they [the five victims] resided at home, they were injured. So, we are all worried about the occurrence of additional events. They fired first at about 6 a.m. Since then, we are all in anxiety. Now, we are very worried about it.” 

Shops in downtown Pauktaw were shuttered due to the gunfire, which included both small arms and heavy weapons, said U Aung Kyaw Htwee, an Arakan State Hluttaw lawmaker representing Pauktaw Township. 

Three people from Seikkaya village in neighbouring Minbya Township were also reportedly hit by Tatmadaw Navy fire on Thursday morning as the vessels made their way upriver from Sittwe to Minbya, according to locals, with one of the victims severely injured.  

DMG phoned Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun and Brig-Gen Ye Yint Aung of the Tatmadaw True Information Team seeking comment on Thursday’s incidents, but they could not be reached. 

The civilian death toll due to the conflict in Arakan State, including shellings and gunfire as described by the Minbya and Pauktaw residents on Thursday, rose by at least 45 from June to October 29.