An artillery shell fired by military council troops landed and exploded in Par Da Leik village in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, while students were taking the matriculation examination (new system), injuring one male student and one female student, according to local sources.
A resident from Sittwe said, “I don’t know if the shell was fired by the navy or the troops. It landed about 30 feet from the school. The shrapnel broke through the windows. At that time, the exam-end bell was already ringing, but the students hadn’t yet come out of the room.”
The artillery shell landed and exploded near Basic Education High School No.7 in Par Da Leik village in Sittwe Township around noon on 11 March. The shrapnel smashed through the window and hit the students who were taking the exam, the resident added.
The female student sustained an injury on her forehead, and the male one was injured on his hip, the resident of Sittwe added.
“The girl was injured on her forehead. The boy is more seriously injured than the girl. Their parents requested to continue taking the exam in Sittwe,” the resident said.
The injured were reportedly sent to the 100-bedded local military hospital. Locals say the military council’s Light Infantry Battalions 232/344 and Training Unit 10 are stationed near Par Da Leik village.
The nationwide matriculation examination (new system) started on 11 March and will continue until 19 March.
The military-run Myanmar Alin newspaper reported on 12 March that the artillery fire was conducted by the Arakan Army (AA) and that one male student and female student returning after the exam were injured.
Sent by Narinjara.