Narinjara News, July 4, 2025

Family members who contacted Narinjara said that a man was beheaded by a gang of criminals in the military-administered Mangaung Township of Arakan State.

The victim was identified as Ko Nyi Kaung, sometimes known as Ko Maung Thein Lwin, 32, of Nga Pu Kone Village in the Manaung Township.

After visiting a clinic for a health checkup, Ko Nyi Kaung's cousin and his wife were making their way back to their home in Bay Chaung Village, Manaung Township, on July 1 at sunset.

Ko Nyi Kaung observed three unidentified guys robbing the pair close to a field on the side of the highway and attempted to intervene.

Ko Nyi Kaung was taken into custody and murdered by robbers, but the couple was fortunately able to flee from the hands of the criminals, according to a female relative of Ko Nyi Kaung.

"Ko Nyi Kaung was murdered instead of his cousin and his wife. The pair had recently come back from the hospital. After that, they were followed by three men who spoke Burmese. They demanded money after robbing the couple on the street. Ko Nyi Naing then realized he was being robbed and attempted to stop it. The robbers murdered him instead of allowing the cousin and his wife to leave.”

When the pair arrived in the village, they shared with the locals the predicament they were in. Ko Nyi Naing was discovered dead by the villagers who hurried to the site of the incident. A family member claims that Ko Nyi Naing was beheaded and that his neck was slit by the robbers; however, his head has not been discovered as of yet.

When she saw her dead son, Ko Nyi Kaung's mother was nearly heartbroken and unconscious, she said.

Members of the family notified the Police station in Manaung of the tragic incident, but the culprits have not been identified or apprehended as of yet.

In the beginning of this year, there were reports of the murder of certain local officials in Manaung Township, but the precise cause of death cannot be determined due to the internet and phone line disruptions.

According to locals, such murders and crimes are commonplace in Manaung Township, which is still governed by the military council, but the military council is anarchic and has not brought any justice.

According to many locals in Manaung Township, people are concerned about their lives because of the economic difficulties, theft, and looting that have occurred in a lawless era under the current military council government.

The recent conflict in Arakan State was sparked by the military council's decision to ban the majority of Manaung's population, who depend on fishing for a living, from engaging in the activity. Therefore, people in the community are also experiencing hardship as a result of low incomes and rising commodity prices.