Junta Troops Open Fire on Boat Returning from Minbya to Pauktaw Township, one Man Killed

It has been reported that one person was killed when the military fired upon a Honda boat returning from Minbya Township to Pauktaw Township in Rakhine State. As of now, the body has not been recovered.

The boat originated from Hpa Tu village, Pauktaw Township. While navigating the Nga Tan Pyin creek in Minbya Township on the morning of December 6, the 541st Light Infantry Battalion, stationed in Bu Pin village near Minbya Township, opened fire, as reported by a villager.

"He went to call his sisters in Minbya Township. On the way back from Minbya Township to Hpa Tu village in Pauktaw Township, the 541st Battalion, based in Bu Pin village, shot at the boat with a machine gun," the villager said.

The deceased is 42-year-old U Maung Win Hlaing from Hpa Tu village, Pauktaw Township. As of now, the body has not been retrieved, said a social activist.

"It is known that we have not been able to recover the body until now. Currently, the military is still firing guns," the social activist reported.

A person close to Hpa Tu village informed Narinjara that the remaining three women and one child on the boat managed to escape unharmed.

"Only one person was shot, while the other three managed to escape.”

The family is currently reported to be in Nga Tan Pyin Village, Minbya Township, but has not been reached by Narinjara for contact.

Residents stated that starting around 9:30 a.m. on December 6, the 541st Light Infantry Battalion, located on Mal Taw mountain about 1 mile south of Minbya Township, opened fire on motorcycles traveling near the town and boats in the Minbya River, including the Nga Tan Pyin creek.

On December 5, the battalion fired upon pedestrians, causing them to flee to safety.

Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha informed Narinjara in an interview today that from November 13 to December 5, 29 people were killed, and 110 were injured due to artillery shells and small arms fired by the Military Council in Rakhine.