- Web Master
- September 03, 2024
Lu Htet Naing
At least 9 local Kaman and one Rakhine people were killed at Lin Thi
village under Thandwe township of Rakhine State as the junta forces had
fired artillery shells on the night of 14 May, said the residents.
The incident marks the first on-the-spot death caused
by the junta shelling in Thandwe locality.
The victims include U Nyi Lay (47), Ma Nge Lay (25),
Ah Pu Lay (21), U Maung Lay (26), Ma May Pu (27), U Tin Maung Nyunt (47), Daw Than Than (63) and Daw
May Li Yan (75). Two others
Daw Ma Nyant (55) and Daw Than Myint (Rakhine) died while they were
transported to the hospital.
The village is situated approximately 17 miles north
of Thandwe town. It comprises over 300 houses and is predominantly inhabited by
Kaman people.
The artillery shells struck Lin Thi village at around
8:30 pm resulting in immediate deaths of three local men and four women.
Additionally, one woman lost one of her arms.
"The artillery shells landed at night. The
soldiers were present at the village and hence we didn't dare to come
out. The indiscriminate firing by junta soldiers even prevented the villagers
from fleeing from their places,” said a local resident.
The injured individuals were taken to Thandwe
hospital and three individuals died there.
The artillery shells were fired from Bar Daunt
mountain and Kwin Wine naval base in Thandwe locality.
As the Arakha Army (AA) besieged them, over 200 junta
soldiers who were stationed at the top of Shwe Hlay bridge of Lin Thi
village did not receive reinforcements from Thandwe. They are now living among
the civilian population due to fear. The residents of Lin Thi village are now
prohibited from fleeing.
"It is like we are only waiting to die here. Lin
Thi residents are not permitted to leave the village. Despite knowing the AA's
bases, the soldiers are targeting the civilians. Among the deceased individuals
was the grandmother from Zee Taw Maw. Many lost their limbs. The families
residing near the police station also suffered casualties," added the
resident.
On 13 May, Auk Nat Maw village under Thandwe township
was also struck by indiscriminate artillery shelling. A house caught fire and
three civilians were injured.
Likewise on 9 May, amid the clashes between the junta
forces and AA fighters, some artillery shells landed near the intersection of
Lin Thi village under Shwe Hlay sub-township. A civilian was injured by shell
shrapnel and he passed away at a Yangon hospital.
Shwe Hlay sub-township residents noted that the
continuous howitzer firing from Bar Taung mountain at Thandwe’s exit point and
Thu Khoe San ridge near Thandwe urban ward scared the local residents. Some
artillery shells landed in the field between Zee Kyun and Talaing Tel villages
under Shwe Hlay sub-township also.