Dozens in Kyauktaw Twsp who disappeared during 2020 fighting still missing

By Admin 12 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 September 2024, Kyauktaw

At least 30 local residents from four villages along the upper reaches of the Kaladan River in Kyauktaw Township went missing during the 2020 fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

The AA clashed with the military near Meewa Village and Mt. Taungshae in March 2020, with those hostilities spanning more than 40 days.

Fierce clashes forced thousands of local people from Tinmagyi, Tinmathit, Malar, Myauktaung and Thazi villages to flee their homes and some residents and disabled people remained in the villages to take care of their properties.

A total of 31 local people — 16 from Tinmagyi Village, eight from Tinmathit Village, six from Pyaingtaing Village and one from Malar Village — have gone missing since then, according to DMG’s initial investigation.

“Among those missing are residents who remained in the village and those who are unable to walk. When we came back to the village to bring them, we didn’t find them,” said U Soe Thein, a 100-household head from Tinmagyi Village.

Myanmar military troops have been stationed on the hills near the villages, schools and monasteries, locals said.

Those who went missing from Pyaingtaing Village have been identified as U Hla Kyaw Oo, 60, U Tun Aye Thar, 50, U One Phar Chay, 50, U Tun Ban Aung, 71, U Maung Aye Sein, 73, and Daw Ma Hla Sein.

“My relative is mentally ill. He stayed in the village with a neighbour. When we returned to the village, we found only bones and skulls in the yard. I didn’t know if he was killed or starved to death. Others are still missing,” said U Sein Thar Htwee from Pyaingtaing Village.

Family members said that they contacted close villages and acquaintances about the missing persons between 2020 and 2021.

“U Than Maung, 52, went missing when he returned home. He may have been killed by soldiers,” said U Thein Tun Oo from Malar Village.

Locals along the upper reaches of the Kaladan River in Kyauktaw Township were forced to live in various displacement camps for more than four years after being displaced by the military and AA hostilities.

The IDPs were allowed to return to their villages after the AA seized control of Kyauktaw, but they are facing everyday difficulties in terms of livelihood prospects, lack of access to healthcare and a variety of other challenges.