3 civilians killed within two months on western Rakhine border

Narinjara News, 9 February 2023

Three people were brutally killed in separate incidents within two months in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships located on the western border of Rakhine State.

A Khami tribe man, who was missing for five days from Gandaron (Khami) village under Buthidaung township, was found dead with severe injuries on 8 February.

The deceased U Sein Phyu (40) left his home to catch fishes in the jungle on 4 February, but he did not return home for five days later. His body was found with serious stab wounds, informed a village administrator.

“He died of sword injuries. His stomach was made open and left ear was cut off. The villagers were searching him for days,” added the administrator.

He admitted that the villagers had no idea who was behind the killing, but they are worried about their security.

Sein Phyu’s body was brought back to the village and readied to bury on 10 February.The victim left behind his wife, five children and other relatives.

Similarly on 18 December last, two Rakhine villagers namely U Thein Tun (28) and U Ba Than (36) were brutally killed as they went to the forest to collect firewood.

Both, hailing from Shwe Taung village under Maungdaw township, were cut into pieces with knives and even buried casually. The villagers found them in the forest area.

U Maung Ohn, a former member of  Rakhine State Parliament from Maungdaw township, expressed his concern over the killings. He added that the civilians are being targeted by the miscreants time to time, but the police fail to identify the culprits