Narinjara News, 3 August 2022

A boat carrying a number of students was shot at in Nama Da creek of upper Kaladan river at around 2 pm onTuesday, killing two students andinjuring three others.

The wounded, including two students and one school  employee, were sentto  Paletwa hospital in the evening hours.

The incident took place during a gunfighting between the Myanmar army personnel and Arakan Army members in Paletwa Townhsip, southern Chin State.

Locals claimed that the boat was targeted by the military personnel, who are stationed at Nama Da villageunder Paletwa township, as the boatwas returning to Remawa village from Tonmawa after the classes were over.

The death students wereidentified as Maung Ne Min Tun and Maung Aung Than Myint (both were 5th grade students). At least ten studentswere travelling on the boat.

In morning hours, the Nama Da creek witnessed a gunbattle between the army and AA members, where thePaletwa-based LIB (289) battalion exchangedheavy fires in the area. The battle continued till the afternoon hours at Nama Da creek vicinity.

The injured students Ma Khin Si (14 years old) and Maung Aung Lin Win (17) along with school  worker UVadu (54) were admitted to Paletwa hospitalby 7  pm. A resident of Palatwa informed that the dead bodies were brought to the village where bothof them were buried.

Rakhine security and border affairs minister colonel Kyawthura was contacted by telephone, but no responsewas found.

Meanwhile, another battle broke out this morning near pillarnumber 40 in Maungdaw township,adjacent to the international border withBangladesh and lasted till 11 am.

(Photo: the photo was taken on Kaladan River)