Young schoolteacher killed by shelling in Rathedaung Twsp

By Hnin Nwe 19 Oct 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
19 October 2020, Sittwe 

A primary school assistant teacher was killed when an artillery shell exploded near Ywa Thit Kay village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on October 19, the mother of the victim told DMG. 

The shell fell and exploded in a field near the village monastery at about noon on Monday, said U Khin Maung Hsan, the Ywa Thit Kay village administrator. 

The victim was fatally wounded by shrapnel as he was taking cattle to pasture. 

“He is my only son. He is a newly graduated teacher. I cannot feel what happened to him. I want to die for him,” said Daw Ma Gyi, the victim’s mother. 

The 21-year-old man has been identified as Maung Myo Set Naing Oo, a recent graduate of Kyaukphyu Education College. 

He was a native of Ywa Thit Kay village and had been placed in charge of a post-primary school in Ngasanbaw village, Rathedaung Township, according to family members. 

“The victim was injured when an artillery shell fell and exploded in the field. The victim died on the way to Sittwe General Hospital as his condition was considered life-threatening,” the village administrator said. 

Residents accused a military battalion in downtown Rathedaung of opening heavy weapons fire on Ywa Thit Kay village beginning at about 11 a.m. on October 19. 

“The battalions in downtown Rathedaung kept firing, even when there was no fighting. Fighting broke out near Aungthazi Hill, to the north of the village, so regular fire was fired on that side by the Tatmadaw,” said U Khin Maung Latt, the Upper House lawmaker representing Rathedaung Township. 

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

A resident of Pyarpinyin village in Rathedaung Township, who was also a victim of shelling, died on October 14 while receiving medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital. 

Civilian casualties have been on the rise during 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.