The Rakhine State police chief has said police could not avoid fatally shooting seven protesters outside the Mrauk U district administration office on Jan. 16. His remark comes while his department is still investigating the deadly incident to determine whether police acted appropriately.
Last Tuesday’s protest erupted after authorities cancelled part of a celebration of the 233rd anniversary of the fall of the Mrauk U Kingdom, which was conquered by the Burmese in 1785. The festival, which has been held annually since 2014, includes two days of traditional wrestling matches, drama performances, and “literature talks” about Rakhine history.
The second day of this year’s festival was cancelled after a writer and a member of parliament gave speeches on the first day that encouraged audiences members to take up arms against the Myanmar government and fight for Rakhine independence.
“Organizers announced that the [second-day] talk could not be held as they didn’t have approval from the authorities. Then the power went out suddenly,” Police Colonel Aung Myat Moe, chief of the Rakhine State police force, told Eleven.
After the cancellation was announced, local Rakhines gathered by the thousands and marched to the district administration office, where they were confronted by police.
According to Police Colonel Aung Myat Moe, police and staff from the administration office urged the protesters to go home, but they refused.
“The group then broke down the gate and took down the national flag…and hoisted another irrelevant flag,” the colonel said. “It looked like they raided the office. They destroyed vehicles, motorcycles, and windows. The police told them not to. There were about 30 policemen, but the mob had over 10,000 people. They tried to steal weapons from the policemen, so the police fired into the air.”
When that failed to disperse the protesters, the colonel said, “we used 12-gauge pump-action shotguns to fire below [the protesters’ knees] but we couldn’t avoid [hitting them elsewhere] as they were running toward the policemen.”
He added that 20 police officers were injured during the confrontation, in addition to the seven protesters who were killed and at least 12 who were severely wounded.
Three of Police Colonel Aung Myat Moe’s subordinates are now investigating the incident to determine whether the police response was appropriate. However, political parties and civil society organizations in Rakhine State say a third party needs to investigate the case instead.
The Arakan National Party has already conducted its own investigation and declared that the police used “excessive force” in their handling of the protest. The party has called on the Rakhine State government to provide assistance to the families of the victims.
