Attack against Muslims resurfaces in Rakhine State, killing at least 6 people

Communal attacks in Rakhine State resurface on 5 August, with Rakhine people burning more than 200 houses of Muslim residents in three villages in Kyauk Taw Township and killing at least six people, following the visit of the Vice President Sai Mauk Kham to Kyauk Taw on 4 August.

The incident in Gut Pi Taung village in Kyauk Taw Township occurred in the afternoon when a crowd of at least 500 Rakhine people appeared.

“Our houses are on fire. We are now running away from the place as they are also endangering our lives” said U Aung Myint, a Muslim resident in Gut Pi Taung.

Similarly, two other Muslim villages, Apuak Wa and Shwe Hlaing, were also attacked by Rakhine people.

In Apauk Wa, 32 out of 50 houses were burned down by the Rakhine people and four Muslims were killed until Military forces came to intervene. Over 50 houses in Apauk Wa village was burned down by the Rakhine people earlier in June when the first wave of incidents occurred.

Houses in Shwe Hlaing village are still on fire by the evening and the number of burned houses is yet to be confirmed.

Muslim residences reported that security forces, present in the scene, failed to intervene during the attacks.

“Rakhines are killing us. We asked for help from police who are just outside the village but they refused to stop them” said U Kyaw Thein, a Muslim resident in Shwe Hlaing village.

Meanwhile in Paik The village, two people, who happened to be outside the village, were killed by the Rakhine people surrounding the location.

People who are providing assistance to those villages mentioned that the situation is critical as the people there are already staying with minimal level of food supply.

“We try to send some money there so that they can buy food through military personnel. The situation is already vulnerable and this incident can add many challenges to their lives,” said a 28-year-old Muslim in Yangon.

Earlier reports indicate that even though Kyauk Taw was exempted to an extent from the conflict in June, people in those villages are confined to their houses and movement is limited by the Rakhine people who are wandering around to stop channels of food and other supplies.