- Web Master
- August 31, 2024
Eain Phyu Soe
Narinjara News, 1 June 2024
At least 40 Arakanese people
are suspected to be killed by the junta forces during a raid in Byine Phyu village at the outskirt of Arakan (Rakhine) capital Sittwe, formerly
known as Akyab, said several villagers who
witnessed the horrible incident.
The victims have been identified as U
Kyaw San U, U Kyaw Thein, U Kular Aung, U Pho Than Sein, U Chabu Kaung, U
Bauk Thar, U Ko Mo Maung (30 years old), U Khin Maung Aye (36), U Maung
Than (29), U Kyaw Naing (42), Ko Maug Chi (22), Ko Rahy Kyaw (21),
U Aung Naing Htay (31), U Zaw Min Tun (40), U Mang Hla U (40), U
Thar Cahy (30), U Munint Chay (36), Ko Muang San (26), U Maung Hla
Yay (30), Ko Maung Htwee (22), U Maung Lon Chay (40), U Kyaw Naing (40),
U Maung Thein (50), U Maung San Thar (60),
U Kyan Thar Tun (70), Ko Maung Bu Maung (18), U Than Htay Mg
(40), U Far Chay (50), U Ko Ko Aung (36), Ko Aung Thu Chay (29), Maung
Phyo Phyo Naing (15), U Zaw Tun Naing (35), etc
The junta soldiers detained the villagers and asked
them to remove their shirts. Then they targeted the youths with tattoos
relating to Arakanese text & symbols.
"The men were asked to show their bodies and then killed
those having tattoos of Arakan Army
symbol, Arakan national flag,
other Arakanese texts, etc," said
an elderly villager.
The residents stated that apprehending an imminent offensive by the AA
fighters on Sittwe, the junta forces conducted the raid on the outskirts.
"We've heard that popular singer U Kyaw Hla and his son Ko
Duwun Khaing were also killed. Most of the houses in Byine Phyu
village were set ablaze. Other villages namely Kyay Taw Paik Seik and Ma Laung
also witnessed the destruction,” added the elderly person.
The junta soldiers entered Byine Phyu village on 29 May and
committed war crimes against the villagers. On 31 May, they ordered everyone to
leave the village. Then they set the village on fire.
A political activist from Sittwe informed Narinjara News that the
soldiers set the village on fire at around 6 pm. He estimated that 30 people
were killed.
Narinjara News tried to contact the residents of Byine Phyu
village but failed as their phones were switched off. So the information about
fatalities cannot be confrmed independently.