Narinjara News, 9 July2022

Two dead bodies were found on the east coast of Myengu (west Barongar) island near Thekone villageunder Pauktaw township, a few mileseast of Rakhine State capital Sittwe.

According to local villagers, one body was stranded on the river bank between Pyin Taung and Chaing Pyinvillages.

"This morning, we saw one dead body in between Pyin Taung and Chaing Pyin villages. Another one was found inthe coast near Thekone village.Both are males. Their identities are yet to be revealed,” said a villager.

The body found near Thekone village has already decomposed, said a resident of Thekone village.

“The bodies with their hands tied back, are still there.  No report of death or disappearances recorded in thesurrounding villages,” he added.

On 5 July, a military column comprising 70 soldiers arrived at Thekone village. A group of soldiers used topatrol in some areas of the village.Later both the bodies were found in those areas. Local residents got sacred after the recovery of dead bodies.

The junta soldiers reportedly raided Sein Kyaw Maung's house in the village and demolished a signboarderected in a seafood trading office belongingto him. However,  Sein Kyaw Maung-a suspected  drug smuggler- escaped before the militarycolumn arrived there.

"Sein Kyaw Maung’s  motorboats were confiscated and also the water tanker signs removed. I don't think thesoldiers came to the village onlyfor this reason,” stated the villager.

The villagers have no idea who might have killed both the individuals. The junta force left the village earlythis morning and both bodies wererecovered later.