Frustration grows over lack of suspect in Rathedaung teacher’s murder

By Admin 22 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 September 2023, Rathedaung

Nearly a week after a female junior assistant teacher from Kyunpaw Pauktaw Village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township was murdered, the perpetrator has not yet been identified, according to local residents.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has been investigating the case for about a week, and the perpetrator has not yet been identified. In the absence of a culprit, criticism over the handling of the case has been growing on social media and misinformation is also spreading.

Family members of the murdered teacher are among those calling for answers.

“We have not been notified about the case yet. The ULA/AA is reportedly investigating the case,” said a family member of the victim.

The victim has been identified as Daw Hnin Yu Nwe, 37. She is believed to have been killed while on her way to Panphawpyin Village from Pauktaw Village on the morning of September 16. 

Other local teachers, meanwhile, are fearful following the murder of one of their own.

“I want the teams responsible for solving this case to solve it as soon as possible. Local teachers don’t dare to go out anymore,” said a teacher from Kyunpaw Pauktaw Village in Rathedaung Township.

DMG continues to attempt to contact a local ULA official and U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the ULA/AA, regarding the matter. 

According to local residents, the ULA has called in men from nearby villages as part of its investigation into the killing. 

“The ULA/AA questioned some local men regarding the incident. A man from this village refused to be interrogated and ran away. So far, the ULA/AA has not identified the perpetrator,” said U Maung Kyaw Yin, an administrator of Kyunpaw Pauktaw Village.

The Arakan Students Union and Education Network for Arakan also issued a statement on September 17, asking Myanmar’s military rulers to identify and take action against the perpetrator or perpetrators.