Myebon locals worry about fallen shrapnel

20 Jul 2019

Soe Aung | DMG

20 July, Sittwe   

Local residents from Pauk Tu Taung village in Myebon Township, Arakan State, have been concerned about their safety when pieces of shrapnel landed in their village yesterday morning at about 9 a.m.

Villagers had been taking shelter in the village monastery when artillery shells landed into the village, local sources said. 

“Villagers are afraid of going out of their homes. They shut doors and stayed in their homes. Villagers who were outside the village are taking shelter in the village monastery,” said U Maung Than Htay, a local resident from Pauk Tu Taung village.

A clash occurred between the Tatmadaw and the AA near Mae Than Gyo village in Ann Township on 18 July. Then, two of the Tatmadaw’s boats arrived at Taung Sate River between Myebon and Ann Townships yesterday and fired heavy weapons at the area where the clash broke out on Thursday then, the AA retaliated and clashes occurred there yesterday, U Pe Than, Pyithu Hluttaw representative from Myebon Township told the DMG.

“Local residents said that two vessels from the Navy traveled on the riverbetween Myebon and Ann Township and opened fire where the clashes erupted on Thursday. At that time, an AA troop came and fired RPGs at naval ships,” the lawmaker said referring local residents.

Currently, the two vessels have departed from the area, he said.

The DMG yesterday phoned a spokesperson of the Tatmadaw, but they could not be reached. The AA responded, saying they would give a comment in the evening when the DMG contacted them yesterday morning.

Pauk Tu Taung village is about two miles from the clash and pieces of shrapnel landed into the village, local residents said.

The Tatmadaw and the AA on Thursday fought between Kan Oo and Htaung Laung villages in Ponnagyun Township and near Mae Than Gyo village in Ann Township and near Kan Pyin village in Buthidaung Townships.