Two girls among three wounded by gunfire in Minbya Twsp

By Hnin Nwe 29 Oct 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
29 October 2020, Sittwe 

Three people including two girls from Seikkaya village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township were hit by bullets on October 29, with one of the victims severely injured and admitted to Sittwe General Hospital, according to locals. 

The wounded have been identified as Ma Than Than Soe, 14, Ma Htay Htay Win, 12, and U Maung Kyaw Nu, 70. 

Two Myanmar Navy vessels travelling from Sittwe Township to Minbya Township began firing light and heavy weapons along the Minbya River from Pauktaw to Minbya Township on Thursday morning, locals alleged. 

“They came from Sittwe Township to transport goods to Minbya Township. The naval ships have been firing along the river since entering the Minbya River from Pauktaw Township, killing cattle. The bullets hit some people who were hiding in fear of the sound of gunfire,” said U Kyaw Htein, the administrator of Palipauk village in Minbya Township. 

Out of those injured, Ma Than Than Soe was transferred to Sittwe General Hospital via Pauktaw Hospital as her condition was considered life-threatening, residents said. Of the other two, one person is reportedly receiving treatment at Pauktaw Hospital and the other one is being treated in the village. 

Pauktaw Township had been untouched by the broader Arakan State conflict prior to Thursday, but locals are worried following the heavy artillery fire, said U Aung Kyaw Htwee, an Arakan State MP for Pauktaw Township. 

“I think such intimidation indirectly undermines the stability and peace of the people in such a [previously] stable situation,” the lawmaker added. 

Villages along the river in Minbya Township sustained damage from artillery shells fired by the naval vessels, and shops in downtown Pauktaw were closed on Thursday, according to residents. 

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

The civilian death toll due to the conflict in Arakan State, including shellings and gunfire as described by the Minbya residents on Thursday, rose by at least 45 from June to October 19.