Artillery shelling injures two villagers in Kyauktaw Twsp

By Hnin Nwe 13 Sep 2020

Hnin Nwe  | DMG
13 September, Kyauktaw 

Two Muslims were injured by shrapnel when an artillery shell struck Gotepihtaunt village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township on September 13, according to the village administrator. 

The victims were wounded when a naval vessel in the Kaladan River directed heavy weapons fire at Gotepihtaunt village on Sunday morning, said U Kyaw Sein Hla, the village administrator.  

“An artillery shell fell in Gotepihtaunt village, where Muslims reside, when the navy ship opened heavy fire indiscriminately on the village. The victims were wounded by shrapnel while they were reportedly hiding themselves under the house,” he added. 

The victims have been identified as Mamouk Sutin, 22, and Nawhajaya, 30. 

They sustained shrapnel wounds to their arms and legs and are currently receiving medical attention in the village, said U Ba Sein, the in-charge of Gotepihtaunt village. 

“Out of the two injured, the male victim is currently being treated by the midwife in the village. But the female victim is likely to be transferred to a nearby hospital. The midwife suggested that we send the female victim to Apaukwa station hospital,” he explained. “We are making arrangements depending on the situation.” 

U Oo Tun Win, an Arakan State lawmaker for Kyauktaw Township, confirmed reports of two people injured by artillery fire in his constituency. 

“We heard heavy weapons fire from downtown Kyauktaw and gunfire was heard till 5 a.m. I don’t know exactly as to whether hostilities between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army broke out or not. Locals in Gotepihtaunt village would know better,” the MP added. 

DMG contacted Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun and Brig-Gen Ye Yint Aung from the Tatmadaw True News Information Team seeking comment on the shelling, but they could not be reached. 

Eight people were injured when artillery shells fired from a naval vessel sailing along the Kaladan River to Kyauktaw Township from Sittwe landed and exploded in Thinganet village on September 1, locals said.