An old man trapped alone amidst fighting starved to death in Ponnagyun Rakhine

Narinjara, November 14, 2022.

The entire village of Syn Inn Gyi had fled due to the brutal killings by the Military Council. All the villagers had fled except for 88-year-old old man, who was too weak to escape was left alone and starved to death.

The incident happened on November 13 in Sin Inn Gyi Village in Ponnagyun Township of Rakhine State. The deceased was U Maung Thein Tun.

The elderly man had been suffering from a shortage of food and water since November 10, but the family was able to pick him up at around 10:00 AM on November 13.

On the evening of November 10, the Military Council troops suddenly invaded Sin Inn Gyi Village and burned down 5 houses, brutally stabbed and shot dead 9 villagers includinga 90-year-old elderly woman.

A person close to the victim said, “Grandpa was not in good health. His immunity was weak. In the last two or three days, his health had deteriorated due to lack of food and water. Yesterday morning, he was brought to Myoma School in Ponnagyun. But he died half an hour after arriving at the school.” a person close to the victim said.

His daughter, Daw Oo Mya Yee lamented , “ When a parent dies, it’s a tragedy for children. It’s sad that my father died of starvation like this. We had to leave him in the village because we couldn’t take him across the stream when we had to flee. Now he’s dead.” 

U Maung Thein Tun was laid to rest at Ponnagyun Cemetery on November 13 at 1:30 PM.