Civil societyorganizations, including the Education Network for Rakhine, have issuedstatements calling for a proper investigation into the recent murder of amiddle school teacher on her way to school in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State.

According to locals, middle school teacher Daw Hnin Yu Nwewas brutally murdered and her throat slit on the way from her home in Pauktawvillage to Pan Hpaw Byin village on the morning of 16 September.

In connection with the murder of the middle school teacher,the Arakan Students’ Union and Arakanese from Rathedaung living in the UnitedStates, including the Education Network for Rakhine, issued statements callingfor action.

Members of the Arakan Students’ Union’s steering committeecalled for justice to be served and for the ruling to be open and transparentto the public, regardless of which organization is handling the case.

“Whether it is the ULA /AA or any other organization, wewant a fair and transparent action to be taken,” said a young member of theArakan Students’ Union steering committee.

The murdered teacher is a 37-year-old middle school teachernamed Daw Hnin Yu New, who worked at Basic Education Middle School – Pan HpawByin.

Currently, the ULA /AA is investigating the case, but hasnot been able to identify or arrest any suspects so far, according to familymembers.

Villagers from surrounding villages and some employees ofthe school were also questioned by ULA /AA about the incident, said U MaungKyaw Yin, administrator of Pauktaw village.

The Education Network for Rakhine statement said, ” Teachersare the most valuable members of society as they train the future of ourcountry. The victim here was also a teacher. Therefore, the authorities bear aresponsibility for this murder. Efforts should be made to find out the truthand arrest the perpetrator.”

The Arakan Students’ Union statement also said that themurder of an education worker posed a threat to the education community andcould also pose a challenge to government workers deployed in remote areas.

A youth leader of the Arakan Students’ Union said, “In ourArakan State, underdevelopment has caused people’s education and awareness tolag behind in many areas. We are therefore concerned that we can no longerremain silent when similar events occur. The public must actively participateand speak out. And the perpetrator must be severely punished.”

The statement of the students’ union also points out thatrecently in Arakan State, some unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage ofpolitical instability to commit increasingly shameful acts of sexual violenceand harassment against young women, students, underage girls and others.

Compared to other regions, underdevelopment in Arakan Statehas led to poor transportation and communication links; poverty has increased comparedto the past, resulting in more thefts and robberies; this has led to a lack ofsecurity not only for civilians traveling on the roads, but also for governmentemployees, the statement said.

To ensure the safety of Arakan women’s groups in ArakanState, civil society groups have called on the relevant authorities toestablish a strong judicial system where perpetrators who threaten the socialsecurity of women in Arakan State can be tried in a fair manner before theArakan public.

Educational circles and locals throughout Arakan State havealso denounced the current perpetrator.

Caption – Statement of Education Network for Rakhine