Muslim cleric injured by shelling in Buthidaung Twsp

By DMG 28 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
28 October 2022, Buthidaung

A Muslim cleric in Phokhaung Chaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, was injured by a junta artillery strike at about 6 p.m. on October 27, according to family members and the villager administrator.

The 63-year-old victim has been identified as U Norulsalim. The man was wounded after an artillery shell landed and exploded while he was on his way to give a sermon in Seinhnyipyar Village, located about one mile from Phokhaung Chaung Village, his son Mamadyargu told DMG.

“He is a religious cleric who preaches religious teachings in villages on Fridays. He was injured by artillery shrapnel on his way to Seinhnyipyar Village. He was accompanied by two others,” Mamadyargu explained.

U Norusalim is currently being treated at Buthidaung Hospital, said U Zaw Meiro Sang, the administrator of Phokhaung Chaung Village.

“He is currently receiving medical treatment at Buthidaung Hospital and his condition is considered not life-threatening,” the village administrator added.

Local residents in Phokhaung Chaung Village accused Myanmar military troops stationed in Kanpyin Village of firing the artillery.

DMG attempted to contact Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura to seek comment on the locals’ allegations, but he could not be reached.

A local man from Daingnetpyin (Muslim) Village in Buthidaung Township was fatally wounded when an artillery shell fell and exploded in the village at about noon on October 18, with the victim reportedly dying at Buthidaung Hospital while receiving medical treatment that evening.