Si Daung shooting displaces over 500 villagers in Buthidaung

By Cha Lu Aung 26 Mar 2019

Cha Lu Aung/DMG

March 25, Buthidaung

The number of displaced people taking refuge has reached more than 500 in Buthidaung town following the deadly shooting in Si Daung village on the night of March 21.

The Tatmadaw entered the village and went on a shooting spree on Thursday night, five people died and eight other people were injured, according to Si Daung villagers.

Following the attack, more than 500 people from U Yin Tha, San Go Taung, Nwar Yone Taung and Thayet Pyin as well as Si Daung villages fled to Buthidaung town.

There are about 300 villagers in Yan Aung Myay monastery and around 250 villagers in Shwe Kyin monastery.

“Currently, they don’t even think of returning to their homes. They are afraid and concerned about new attacks on them,” said senior monk Eainda Wuntha from Yan Aung Myay monastery.

The IDPs are in dire need of toilets, mats, blankets and clothes. Currently, the Township Administration Department provided rice while CSOs provided food for them. Some of the IDPs are still taking refuge in nearby villages such as Zedi Taung, Sin Khone Daing and Zeyar Myaing. They are also in need of relief aid.

The attack in the village resulted civilian casualties. The Tatmadaw claimed that it was because of the fighting between the Tatmadaw and AA.

However, the AA side said that there was no clash between them and the Tatmadaw in the village.