General Twan Mrat Naing expresses grief over sinking of junta boats in Maungdaw

Eain Soe Phyu, Narinjara News, 12 June 2024

The Arakha Army (AA) commander-in-chief general Twan Mrat Naing expressed his grief over the tragic incident of sinking of a boat carrying children and women, who were family members of the junta forces, near Ah Lel Than Kyaw beach in south Maungdaw.

On his social media account, Twan Mrat Naing stated ‘Karma for the cruel, but very sorry for the children and women’.

The boat carried the family members of border guard policemen in Mawyawadi 4th border guard police battalion and Myin Hlut 9th border guard police battalion. A border guard police recorded the incident and uploaded  it to his social media space.

His video showed the capsized boat with many unconscious children and women. At least  two women and two children went  missing.

Mentionable is that the 4th border guard police battalion, Myin Hlut 9th border guard police battalion and all remaining troops were transported to the landing craft by the boats as per the order of  Mawyawadi tactical operation command. The division commander and  commanding officer directed them to retreat.

The junta officials went first to the landing craft and then instructed the boats to return to pick up the remaining soldiers and their families.

Upon reaching the landing craft, they directed the boats to return. While ferrying the remaining troops, family members to the landing craft, open fire welcomed them. Thus they were prevented from boarding or even approaching the landing craft. When they turned back, a large sea wave hit the boats and one overturned.

Some children were seen  unconscious in the video. They are yet to be identified. Moreover, many passengers are suspected to be trapped under the boat. But most of them were rescued and were seen on the shore.

"The self-recorded video from the junta forces clearly shows their internal breakdowns, the lack of humanity among themselves, absence of leadership from military commanders, abandonment of others and loss of human consciousness," asserted the AA spokesperson.