CHRO

Chin woman seriously injured during attempted rape by Burma Army soldier

Monday, 23 June 2014 13:16 Written by Chinland Guardian

23 June 2014 – A Chin woman was subjected to a brutal beating during an attempted rape by a Burma Army soldier from Light Infantry Battalion No. 269 in Rezua Sub-township, Chin State on 10 June.

The alleged perpetrator Private Myo Thura Kyaw grabbed the woman on the road between Rezua and her farm. Local eyewitnesses reported to the Chin Human Rights Organization that they came across the soldier holding the woman down and repeatedly striking her.

“She fought back as hard as she could in her struggle to get free. But she was beaten badly,” said one of the eyewitnesses.

Another eyewitness said: “As soon as the soldier saw us, he ran away. I don’t dare to imagine what would have happened to her if we hadn’t arrived on the scene.”

The victim, who is married and believed to be around 40 years of age, was immediately rushed to the hospital in Rezua and has been receiving treatment since then for serious injuries inflicted during the assault.

Private Myo Thura Kyaw was initially kept in Rezua police custody after a report on the incident was made to both the local authorities and the Chin State Administration Office. Latest reports from Rezua indicate that the soldier, from the battalion headed by Major Aung Thu Win, has been sent to Matupi Town and is waiting for an official order from the military authorities regarding the case.

On 12 June, locals from all Christian denominations gathered in Rezua football ground to hold a prayer service in protest against the incident.

Local residents said that they had witnessed other violent incidents over the past year. A Rezua local was allegedly shot dead by a police officer inside Rezua police station earlier this year, while another Burma Army soldier was reported to have attempted to rape a 14 year-old girl last year. Local residents said the attempted rape was not reported due to fear of social stigma.

http://chinlandguardian.com/index.php/chin-news/item/2174-chin-woman-seriously-injured-during-attempted-rape-by-burma-army-soldier

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