Woman killed due to arson attack in Maungdaw

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 8 May 2024

A  woman was killed due to an arson attack and shooting carried out by the  junta forces along with their subordinate Muslim soldiers in Wai Thar Li village under Maungdaw township on the western border of Rakhine State in the morning hours of 7 May, said the villagers.

The victim is identified as  Ma May Gyee Ma (30), wife of Ko A Win Chay from Wai Thar Li village.

"In the early morning, the 5th border guard police battalion fired artillery shells over the village and at around 2 am, the Muslim soldiers entered the village and conducted an arson attack. They killed a female resident and burned down 16 houses,” said a local resident.

The junta soldiers and Muslim rebels entered the village firing guns. Ma May Gyee Ma and her husband fled with their children. As they were climbing over the fence, they were targeted by the soldiers. She died on the spot even though her husband and children could escape, added the resident.

"Despite the intense clashes in Maungdaw, such incidents of arson and murder had never taken place before. It's understood that the junta soldiers are working with a hidden agenda. We strongly condemn it,” said a social activist based in Maungdaw.

Wai Thar Li village was established by the progress of border areas and national races development agency  in 2000. It is situated along the Maungdaw-Ah Ngu Maw road and supports nearly 60 households.