Min Bya resident killed in army firing during night hours

 An elderly person in Min Bya town of Mrauk U district was killed by the Burmese army with unprovoked firing in the night hours on Friday.

The victim has been identified as U Maung Win Thein’s father from Strand road area.

The junta forces were firing from its base on Kyin Taung pagoda hill at  8:30 pm even though there was no battle going on against the Arakan Army (AA).

"An elderly person died on the spot. We are saddened by the incident. The common people are being deliberately killed by the soldiers," said a local resident.  

The soldiers moved inside the city between 8:30 and 9:30 pm and later opened fire. The soldiers belonging to LIB (541) and LIB (380) battalions also shelled heavy weapons.

They started firing with small arms from 8 pm. The residents could hear the sound of gunshots from the Ramaung bridge area.

Many houses at Alay Pai and U Soe Tint wards of Min Bya town were hit by shells.

"I cannot sleep well in the night hours. Some villagers were killed and others are facing severe disturbances," said a local woman.

Rakhine politicians and social activists have criticized the military council for relentlessly committing war-crimes by shelling over civilians.