Mrauk U residents, including a minor, killed in junta’s artillery selling

Narinjara News, 29 August 2022

Junta forces fired artillery shells over a village under Mrauk U township of Rakhine State on Sunday killing three people including a five years old boy and injuring ten other individuals.

The Mrauk U-based 377 and 378^th battalions deliberately fired shells on Kin Sit village even though there was no fighting between the government forces and Arakan Army members going on.

Daw Aye Nu Yin (60) and Maung Myat Lin Thu (5) died on the spot, where U Hla Maung Thein (42) passed away in Mrauk U hospital.

"A woman and a minor died as the battalions suddenly fired artillery shells,” said a villager.

AA members attacked a convoy of soldiers coming from Kyauk Taw with a mine detonation near Lakka village and soon a fierce fighting broke out between the two armed groups for about 20 minutes on 4 pm. Later the battalions fired on several points with heavy weapons.

"Lakka village, where the battle took place, is about 10 miles north of Mrauk U town. But the soldiers fired shells on King Sit village, which is very far away from the battle ground. They targeted the civilians intentionally," said a social activist.

Three artillery shells also hit two monasteries located in Hthamarik ward injuring a monk and a civilian.

Father of the victim child informed that eight people were injured with the shells including a minor girl too. She has been admitted in Mrauk U district hospital.

Many families from Lakka, Bu Wratma Nyo and Outha Kan villages fled their places as the Mrauk U-based battalions fired weapons till last night.

On 27 August, a 70-year-old woman from Min Gyi village in northern Maung Daw township was also killed by a shell fired by the army personnel.