Two corpses found on Myengu island near Sittwe, residents get scared

Narinjara News, 9 July 2022

Two dead bodies were found on the east coast of Myengu (west Barongar) island near Thekone village under Pauktaw township, a few miles east of Rakhine State capital Sittwe.

According to local villagers, one body was stranded on the river bank between Pyin Taung and Chaing Pyin villages.

"This morning, we saw one dead body in between Pyin Taung and Chaing Pyin villages. Another one was found in the coast near Thekone village. Both are males. Their identities are yet to be revealed,” said a villager.

The body found near Thekone village has already decomposed, said a resident of Thekone village.

“The bodies with their hands tied back, are still there.  No report of death or disappearances recorded in the surrounding villages,” he added.

On 5 July, a military column comprising 70 soldiers arrived at Thekone village. A group of soldiers used to patrol in some areas of the village. Later both the bodies were found in those areas. Local residents got sacred after the recovery of dead bodies.

The junta soldiers reportedly raided Sein Kyaw Maung's house in the village and demolished a signboard erected in a seafood trading office belonging to him. However,  Sein Kyaw Maung-a suspected  drug smuggler- escaped before the military column arrived there.

"Sein Kyaw Maung’s  motorboats were confiscated and also the water tanker signs removed. I don't think the soldiers came to the village only for this reason,” stated the villager.

The villagers have no idea who might have killed both the individuals. The junta force left the village early this morning and both bodies were recovered later.