Mrauk-U Twsp man dies from gunshot wound

By Hnin Nwe 26 Jun 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
26 June, Mrauk-U 

A man from Kyauktwingone village in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, died of a gunshot wound on June 25, according to local residents. 

Shots were fired at four Kyauktwingone villagers from the direction of Aungmingalar Mountain in neighbouring Minbya Township while they were fishing along the opposite bank of the Laymyo River, near Poephyugyun village, at around 10 p.m. on June 25. 

“Six shots were fired from Aungmingalar Mountain,” said U Maung Myint, a resident of Kyauktwingone village. “Of four people catching fishing, U Aung Kyaw Thein, 44, was hit by gunfire. His associates phoned the village to inform about the incident and then took him back to the village.” 

U Aung Kyaw Thein was shot in the chest and died in Kyauktwingone village at about 11 p.m. 

Since 2019, Tatmadaw troops have been known to fire shots at fishermen from a hilltop position that also hosts the Aung Mingalar Pagoda in Minbya Township’s Pan Myaung village, local residents claim. 

Last week, the Arakan Army (AA) released video footage purportedly showing the deployment of Tatmadaw soldiers at religious buildings in war-affected parts of Arakan State. 

At a press conference on June 23, however, the Tatmadaw denied deploying troops at religious sites. 

“There is no deployment of troops at pagodas and temples,” Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun from the Tatmadaw True News Information Team said at the briefing in Nay Pyi Taw. “Video footage might emerge; there may be inspections at these places for security.” 

U Aung Kyaw Thein was a father of two. His wife Daw Mae Lin said: “I don’t want other people to face similar tragedies as he did. I hope innocent people do not get shot and lose their lives.” 

DMG phoned Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun and Major-General Tun Tun Nyi of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team seeking comment on the incident, but they could not be reached.