Justice remains elusive for 9 Sin Inn Gyi villagers of Rakhine State

Families of 9 villagers in Sin Inn Gyi village of Rakhine State are still waiting for justice. The villagers were killed by the junta forces a year back without any reason.

A column of junta army (LIB 550) based in Ponna Kyunt targeted the villagers during last year's resurgence of gunfighting with the Arakan Army (AA).

Ma Moe Moe San, whose parents were killed, claimed that the military authorities are yet to pay any compensation to them. Even the military council has not apologized to the affected villagers.

“The authorities have not repaired the damaged houses which were set on fire by the soldiers. The military council has done nothing. Only some Rakhine social organizations came to support them,” she added.

It may be mentioned that on 10 November 2022 the AA members attacked some military vehicles (carrying food items) on Yangon-Sittwe highway between Sin Inn Gyi and Paday Thar villages under Ponna Kyunt township, which is 16 miles north of Sittwe. The AA’s mine attack hit one vehicle killing many soldiers.

In the evening hours, a column of the 55th battalion entered the Sin Inn Gyi village and set many houses on fire. Nine villagers including a 92-year-old woman lost their lives.

The victims were identified as Daw Mai (92), Practitioner U Kyaw Naing, Daw May Nu (54), U Khin Maung (58), U Maung Kyaw Thein (62), U U Kyaw Zan (60), U Mo Ni (45), U Maung Maung Thein (43) and U Maung San Hla (37).

Later the military helicopters fired with heavy weapons near the villages. A number of cattle & livestock were also killed and rice fields got destroyed.

The Sin Inn Gyi village head informed Narinjara News  that Rakhine State military council have not spoken about the incident and not even apologized till date. No compensation has been offered to the bereaved families, he stated.

"The bereaved and otherwise affected families have received a small donation from the ICRC only.

The village supports over 100 families comprising 500 people and all are still scared. The AA in a 11 November 2022 statement asserted that it would take actions against the concerned military personnel.

According to a list compiled by Narinjara News at least  46 Rakhine civilians were killed and 89 were injured in 2022, where nine houses were also burnt down during the four-month resurgent movement that started in August.

Rakhine Human Rights Protection and Promotion Group pointed out that there is no accountability fixed upon the military council whose soldiers terrorised the villagers in Rakhine State during the resurgent battle last year.