University student injured in Myebon Twsp shelling to be treated in Yangon

12 Sep 2020

Hnin Nwe  | DMG
12 September, Sittwe 

A female student from Sittwe University of Distance Education who sustained a shrapnel wound to her head when an artillery shell struck Nyaungkan village in Myebon Township will likely receive treatment in Yangon, according to family members of the victim. 

The 21-year-old victim identified as Ma Hnin Yu Hlaing was injured when an artillery shell landed and exploded in the compound of her home on September 8 while she was hanging clothes out to dry. 

The victim sustained a shrapnel wound to her head and her condition is considered life-threatening. Ma Hnin Yu Hlaing initially received medical treatment at the Kanhtaunggyi station hospital before being transferred to Sittwe General Hospital on September 9. 

X-ray scans showed some shrapnel in her head, said U Maung Thein Phyu, the victim’s father. 

“She suffered loss of consciousness and shrapnel was found in her head,” he told DMG. “The doctor said she must be transferred to Yangon to remove the shrapnel in her head as there is no neurologist at Sittwe General Hospital. She is being treated in the ICU.” 

The victim, who has been unconscious since the shelling, is a final-year student at Sittwe’s University of Distance Education. 

“I have only a daughter. How can I relieve my emotional suffering?” U Maung Phyu Thein said. “My daughter has yet to finish her education. ... I want my daughter to fully recover from the injuries. I want my daughter to pursue her education.” 

At least four people including two children were killed and 10 others, Ma Hnin Yu Hlaing among them, were wounded when four artillery shells landed and exploded in Nyaungkan village on the morning of September 8. 

Villagers have accused security personnel from a military encampment on Kyaukse Hill in neighbouring Ann Township of directing heavy weapons fire at Nyaungkan. The Tatmadaw had not released any announcement regarding the shelling as of September 12.