Villagers claim commodities from village market lost during gunfire in Kyauktaw Township

04 Sep 2019

Win Nyunt | DMG
4 September, Sittwe
 
Golden items, cash, mobile phones and other personal property from village markets were lost during a shooting in Thayet Tabin village, Kyauktaw Township, on 2 September, vendors said.
 
Vendors and villagers said that a Tatmadaw troop entered their village and ransacked shops, but the Tatmadaw denied the claim.
 
Colonel Win Zaw Oo, head of the Western Command, has accused the AA.
 
“The Tatmadaw did not take people’s valuable property. Members of the AA took the items,” said Colonel Win Zaw Oo.
 
The Tatmadaw claimed that gunfire occurred on 2 September following a detonation of a landmine near Thayet Tabin village.
 
The total of seven people, two people from Thayet Tabin, Shwe Ta Hle and Kyauk Ta Lone villages and one person from Yay Ba village were injured from gunfire.
 
Khaing Thukha, information officer of the AA, said that there was no clash with the Tatmadaw in Kyauktaw Township on Monday (September 2) and the AA did not detonate landmines. The Tatmadaw fired guns into the village for no known reason.
 
Vendors from Thayet Tabin village reported to Kyauktaw Township police station on 4 September about their lost property.
 
“I lost four ticals of gold, MMK 4 million, one mobile phone and food. I lost about MMK ten million,” said Ma Khin Than, a vendor of a shop.
 
The DMG phoned Kyauktaw Township police station about the report, but could not speak to anyone.
 
U Oo Tun Win, Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Kyauktaw Township, said that taking people’s personal belongings while they are fleeing from home is a disgrace to the country.
 
Five of seven local residents who were injured during the gunfire are now having medical treatment at Kyauktaw Township hospital.