Marmagyi girl killed, 6 other children injured in artillery shell firing in Minbya

An artillery shell, launched by the junta troops stationed in Kyain Taung Mountain of Minbya township in Rakhine State, exploded in an area where the children were playing. It resulted in the killing of a 13-year-old Marmagyi girl and injuries to six other children.

The deceased has been identified as  Ma Sabel,  daughter of U Tin Soe and Daw Hla Nu Chey hailing from Okkar Pyan ward of Minbya township. The girl sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spot.

She was playing with others when one of the artillery shells, fired by the 380th light infantry  battalion  and the junta troops on Kyain Taung, at around 3 pm on 10 December.

"The shooting lasted for about 15 minutes. One of the artillery shells fell on the place where the children were playing. One girl lost her life and six others were injured. They were immediately taken to the hospital," said a resident.

A resident from Okkar Pyan ward  informed that the children are seriously injured. So they were take to the hospital urgently.

In Minbya township, the troops from  541 battalion stationed in Mal Taw mountain and Kyain Taung along with those from no 9 regional central military training school have been firing artillery shells and
also using small arms on a daily basis.

On 13 November, a 60-year-old Marma woman along with her grandchild in Okkar Pyan ward sustained injuries due to the artillery shells and small arms firing by the soldiers stationed at Kyain Taung pagoda in Minbya township.