Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 7 September 2024

The junta forces and their allied Rohingya armed groupskilled eight residents of  Aung Bala (Arakanese) village in  Shwe Zarvillage-tract under  Maungdaw town, located on the western border ofArakan State, said local residents.

“They were killed in intense fighting during 11 July.We’ve heard that eight people were killed,” said a local resident.

The victims are identified as U Kyaw Naing (38), Ko AhHla Chey (27), U San Hla Tun (50), U Kyaw Sein Chey (56, a formeradministrator), U Tun Win (54), U Khin Maung Chey (49), U Mae Taung Chey (82)and his wife Daw Ma Saw Phyu (73).

Among them, U Khin Maung Chey, U Mae Taung Chey andhis wife Daw Ma Saw Phyu were burned to death in their house.

Aung Bala is a small village of fishermen with 127houses and a population of about 800.

“While U Khin Maung Chey was sleeping, the juntaforces and Rohingya armed groups shot him and set his house on fire. U Mae Taung Cheyand his wife Daw Ma Saw Phyu were trapped in the burning house,” said another resident.

More than 100 junta soldiers and military-trainedMuslim rebels entered Aung Bala village at around 10  am on 11 July, wherethey brutally killed the villagers who could not escape and set their houses onfire.

“The Arakan Army (AA) needs to investigate theseincidents. Many civilians were killed, including Arakanese, Muslims, Hindus andMro people,” added the resident.

Regarding the incident, Narinjara News hascommunicated  AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha for his comment.