Junta forces kill 3 villagers by slitting throats in Minbya

 The military junta has killed three villagers including two innocent women by slitting their throats in Minbya locality of Rakhine State within a week. Moreover, the junta forces had fired artillery shells into several villages causing deaths of three more civilians and injuries to 10 individuals.

The victims, who were brutally killed by throat-slitting, are identified as Daw Oo Than Nu (33), Daw Ma Sein Phyu (64) from Nga Tan Pyin village and U Maung Saw Thein (62) from Bar Bu Taung village under Minbya township.

Victims of the artillery shell attacks include Daw Ah Hla Chay (aka Aung Nyunt Sein, 57) and U Yar Kyaw (55) from Thae Tan village and a ten-year-old girl from Zee Pin Gyi village of Minbya locality.

According to local villagers, the junta's navy personnel carried out the throat-slitting killings on 18 January.

"At around 3 pm on Thursday, navy personnel entered Nga Tan Pyin village and killed them. Daw Oo Than Nu and Daw Ma Sein Phyu were found dead with their throats slit. The act is extremely cruel, and I have never witnessed such brutality against women,” said a village elder.

The  soldiers also entered Bar Bu Taung village near Nga Tan Pyin area and killed U Maung Saw Thein inside his house by slitting throat.

Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha confirmed the throat-slitting killings and informed Narinjara News that it was carried out by the navy personnel stationed at Kyar Ye Pyin village.

On 24 and 25 January, a navy warship fired artillery shells at residential areas resulting in the death of two individuals and injuries to seven in Thae Tan village. A ten-year-old girl in Zee Pin Gyi village was also killed and three others sustained injuries.

"The junta navy warships, stationed near Kyar Ye Pyin village, fired artillery shells on  nearby villages. Some artillery shells exploded in Thae Tan  and Zee Pin Gyi villages. Daw Ah Hla Chay of Thae Tan village died on the spot and  U Yar Kyaw died in the hospital. The 13-year-old girl from Zee Pin Gyi village also lost her life," added a villager.

Those injured from Thae Tan village include Ma Soe Soe San (10 years old, who injured face), Maung Naing Naing Soe (13, injured right hand), Ma San May Soe (17, injured left leg), Daw Hla Mya Thein (57, injured right thigh and face), U Aye Kyaw (30, injured left thigh), Ma May Latt (23, injured neck and right leg) and another villager.

Three other  villagers from Zee Pin Gyi village were also injured.

A Nar Pae Chaung village resident said that several injured individuals from Thae Tan village are still undergoing medical treatment in the hospital.

"Many houses in Thae Tan village were also demolished by the artillery shells. Some  people also suffered serious injuries and they were sent to the hospital. To escape the conflict, some of the injured and other villagers have sought refuge in other villages," he added.

Furthermore, the  junta soldiers invaded Nga Tan Pyin, Bar Bu Taung and Kyar Ye Pyin villages under  Minbya township and  looted valuables items before setting many houses on fire.