Naung MinThu, Narinjara News, 8 May 2024

A  woman was killed due to anarson attack and shooting carried out by the  junta forces along withtheir subordinate Muslim soldiers in Wai Thar Li village under Maungdawtownship on the western border of Rakhine State in the morning hours of 7 May,said the villagers.

The victimis identified as  Ma May Gyee Ma (30), wife of Ko A Win Chay from Wai TharLi village.

"Inthe early morning, the 5th border guard police battalion fired artillery shellsover the village and at around 2 am, the Muslim soldiers entered the villageand conducted an arson attack. They killed a female resident and burned down 16houses,” said a local resident.

The junta soldiers and Muslim rebelsentered the village firing guns. Ma May Gyee Ma and her husband fled with theirchildren. As they were climbing over the fence, they were targeted by thesoldiers. She died on the spot even though her husband and children couldescape, added the resident.

"Despite the intense clashes inMaungdaw, such incidents of arson and murder had never taken place before. It'sunderstood that the junta soldiers are working with a hidden agenda. Westrongly condemn it,” said a social activist based in Maungdaw.

Wai Thar Livillage was established by the progress of border areas and national racesdevelopment agency  in 2000. It is situated along the Maungdaw-Ah Ngu Mawroad and supports nearly 60 households.