August 5th, 2022
The military council has denied firing at a motorboat with students on board in the Kaladan River in Paletwa Township, Chin State, on August 2nd.
The junta’s denial was disseminated through newspapers it controls after some groups, including the Arakan Army (AA), claimed that junta soldiers fired on the boat carrying students in Paletwa, resulting in deaths.
According to the statement released by AA on August 3rd, the junta soldiers stationed on the pagoda hill of Hnamadar village deliberately opened fire with a machine gun, although there was no fighting with the local armed group.
However, on August 4th, the military council-run Myanmar Alin reported, “A motorboat driven by U Badu with seven students from Basic Education High School (Branch) Tone Ma Wa village on Kaladan River was fired upon by terrorists with small arms on the afternoon of August 2nd before the boat reached the village.”
The junta’s statement went on to say that terrorist acts by People’s Defense Forces (PDF) under the National Unity Government (NUG) have disrupted school operations and learning opportunities for the future youth, and that they are threateningly seeking support of students’ parents.
As a result of the shooting, boatman U Badu suffered a minor wound to his left wrist and neck, 14-year-old (fifth grader) Ma Khin Thida was hit by bullets to her legs, 11-year-old (fifth grader) Maung Aung Lin Win suffered a minor gunshot wound to his back, and two 11-year-old students Maung Nay Min Tuna and Maung Than Myint were also hit in the back and died.
Paletwa residentstold Development Media Group (DMG) that the Burmese army troops were stationed of the hill of Hnamadar village where the shooting occurred.
The Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (IKACC) also released a statement on August 3rd strongly condemning the killing of students and civilians by the military council as an inhumane act.
“In my opinion, the Burmese army has put itself in a difficult situation in both in mainland Burma and Rakhine State and is fighting a losing battle. Therefore, the junta soldiers continue to commit war crimes by shooting recklessly and indiscriminately at innocent people,” said U Myat Tun, executive director of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in Rakhine State.
Paletwa Township is an area where there is tension between the Burmese army and AA. Currently, both sides are conducting military activities in the area, resulting in frequent skirmishes in the area.
Sent by DMG