Shelling kills 8-year-old, injures parents in Mrauk-U Twsp

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 19 Oct 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
19 October 2020, Mrauk-U 

An 8-year-old boy was killed and his parents were injured when an artillery shell landed and exploded in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, on October 19, according to residents.  

U Kyan Myint, 43, and his wife Daw Aye Win, 40, were injured when the shell exploded in Mrauk-U’s Htamanyit ward at about 4 p.m., killing their 8-year-old son, said Ko Than Naing Htay, a resident. 

“The artillery shell landed in front of their house. The boy’s father was washing fruits in the pool in front of the house. I don’t know exactly what the boy’s mother was doing at that time. The boy died when an artillery shell fell in front of the house while he was playing near his father,” he explained. 

The injured couple has reportedly been sent to Mrauk-U Hospital. 

“We, on behalf of the local people, mourn the loss of such innocent lives and injuries due to illegal activities,” said U Tun Tha Sein, an Arakan State lawmaker for Mrauk-U Township.  

Following Monday’s shelling, security personnel and policemen entered Htamanyit ward but locals said they did not know the reason for the visit.  

The two injured are said to be not in critical condition, said Dr. Khin Maung Than from Mrauk-U Hospital.  

Elsewhere in Arakan State, a schoolteacher succumbed to shrapnel wounds after an artillery shell struck near Ywa Thit Kay village in Rathedaung Township on October 19.  

Civilian casualties have continued to rise over nearly two years of armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Arakan State. According to data compiled by DMG, the civilian death toll had risen by at least 45 from June to October 19.