- Web Master
- April 12, 2024
Families of
9 villagers in Sin Inn Gyi village of Rakhine State are still waiting for
justice. The villagers were killed by the junta forces a year back without any
reason.
A
column of junta army (LIB 550) based in Ponna Kyunt targeted the villagers
during last year's resurgence of gunfighting with the Arakan Army (AA).
Ma
Moe Moe San, whose parents were killed, claimed that the military authorities
are yet to pay any compensation to them. Even the military council has not
apologized to the affected villagers.
“The authorities have not repaired the damaged houses which were set on
fire by the soldiers. The military council has done nothing. Only some Rakhine social
organizations came to support them,” she added.
It
may be mentioned that on 10 November 2022 the AA members attacked some military
vehicles (carrying food items) on Yangon-Sittwe highway between Sin Inn Gyi and
Paday Thar villages under Ponna Kyunt township, which is 16 miles north of
Sittwe. The AA’s mine attack hit one vehicle killing many soldiers.
In
the evening hours, a column of the 55th battalion entered the Sin Inn Gyi village and set many houses on fire. Nine villagers
including a 92-year-old woman lost their lives.
The
victims were identified as Daw Mai (92), Practitioner U Kyaw Naing, Daw May Nu
(54), U Khin Maung (58), U Maung Kyaw Thein (62), U U Kyaw Zan (60), U Mo Ni (45), U Maung Maung Thein
(43) and U Maung San Hla (37).
Later
the military helicopters fired with heavy weapons near the villages. A
number of cattle &
livestock were also killed and rice fields got destroyed.
The
Sin Inn Gyi village head informed Narinjara News that Rakhine
State military council have not spoken about the incident and not even
apologized till date. No compensation has been offered to the bereaved families, he stated.
"The
bereaved and otherwise affected families have received a small donation from
the ICRC only.
The
village supports over 100 families comprising 500 people and all are still
scared. The AA in a 11 November 2022 statement asserted that it would take
actions against the concerned military personnel.
According
to a list compiled by Narinjara News at least 46 Rakhine civilians were killed and 89 were
injured in 2022, where nine houses were also burnt down during the four-month
resurgent movement that started in August.
Rakhine
Human Rights Protection and Promotion Group pointed out that there is no
accountability fixed upon the military council whose soldiers terrorised the
villagers in Rakhine State during the resurgent battle last year.