Kyaing Hein Lin, Narinjara News, 24 January 2025

A resident of Sittwe was arrested and then killed by the junta forces  while investigating the detention of a villager from Pyar Lel Chaung in Sittwe township of Arakan State.

The victim has been identified as U Kyaw Lin (50) from San Pya ward in Sittwe.

A female resident said, "Ko Kyaw Lin, along with U Win Hlaing's wife and another woman, went to find out where U Win Hlaing was being held. At that point, Ko Kyaw Lin was arrested."

He was taken into custody on 19 January while looking into the whereabouts of U Win Hlaing (42), who was arrested earlier by the junta soldiers from  Pyar Lel Chaung village. His family members were informed about his death the following day.

The female resident also added that U Kyaw Lin’s body was recovered by his wife near the 270th infantry battalion, which is close to Kyet Kaing Tan village in Sittwe locality.

"His wife found the body and a monk recited the Three Refuges prayer. The monk was also summoned by the military personnel, though I do not know which monastery he hailed from. They did not allow her to bury the body. She had to leave after the prayer," stated the female resident.

U Kyaw Lin was killed by the junta soldiers while assisting U Win Hlaing’s wife in seeking answers about her husband’s arrest.

In December 2024, the junta forces forcibly evicted residents from the villages of Pyar Lel Chaung, Maung Ni Pyin, Kyet Kaing Tan and Aung Mingalar under  Sittwe township and demolished their houses.

U Win Hlaing, a resident of Pyar Lel Chaung village, was arrested by the junta soldiers before the eviction of villagers.

The local residents informed that the junta forces are blatantly committing war crimes like abducting and killing civilians in Sittwe as well as demolishing houses and shelling on villages around Sittwe locality with artillery.