Artillery bombardment on Tuesday night by Junta troops in Lin Thi hamlet in Thandwe township killed at least nine Kaman Muslims, with the actual figure likely to be higher, says local sources. Many have been mortally injured with some losing their body parts in the howitzer fire One Rakhine is also presumed to be killed.
Some of the casualties have been identified as U Nyi Lay (47), Ah Pu Lay (21), U Maung Lay (26), Ma May Pu (27), U Tin Maung Nyunt (47), Daw Than Than (63), and Daw May Li Yan (75). During their hospital journey, Daw Ma Nyant, a 55-year-old, and Daw Than Myint also passed away.
The settlement, approximately 15km North of Thandwe is home to the Kaman Muslim people and includes more than 300 dwellings. Three local men and four women were killed instantly when the artillery munitions hit Lin Thi village at approximately 8:30 p.m. One woman also lost an arm in the incident.
Residents say the artillery hit their settlement in the night hours but they were afraid to go too far because of the presence of Junta soldiers.Some people who tried to take the injured to Thandwe town had to stop and do back inside the village when the junta forces’ firing indiscriminately in their direction. The soldiers later went away and only after that were the victims taken to town for treatment. After bringing the injured people to Thandwe Hospital, three of them passed away.Many people lost limbs. “There were casualties among the families residing near the police station as well,” the resident said.
Locals have confirmed heavy exchange of fire between the AA and the SAC forces.
Although the exchange between the two armies were taking place away from the village, the Kaman settlement was targeted without provocation.
At present, a strong Junta detachment is near the area and has ordered residents not to leave the village, according to local residents.
Unlike the Rohingya, the small Kaman community have long been considered full citizens of the country and are the only Muslim ethnic people recognised among the 135 races. But in October 2012, amid a wave of Islamophobia, Kaman villages were burned down by anti Muslim Buddhist nationalists.
Since then, the Kamans have been living in similar conditions to the Rohingya with many spending years in the IDP camps.
Despite a shared religion and similar religious beliefs, there are cultural differences between the Kamans and the Rohingyas. This has meant the two communities do not see each other as good Muslims and have often kept their distance from each other.
The small Kaman community has been persecuted since 2012 but unlike the Rohingya they have received little media attention.
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