Myo Thiri Kyaw — Two brothers were reportedly shot near Ngwe Taung Pauk Bridge in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, at about 8 p.m. on September 20, according to local residents.

The two victims have been identified as U Tun Tun Myint, 34, from Belukan Ward and U Tun Nyein, 33, from Hsinchaseik Ward in Mrauk-U.

U Tun Tun Myint was shot in the leg and U Tun Nyein was arrested by the military, locals said.

Security personnel from a checkpoint near the bridge fired eight shots at the two men, who were returning from a drainage ditch in front of Mrauk-U Hospital after catching fish there, said U Tun Tun Myint.

“When the bullet hit my right thigh, I fell and could not get up. I plunged into the creek and my younger brother was taken by military security personnel,” he added.

U Tun Tun Myint said he hoped his brother would be released as soon as possible because the two men make their living as odd-job workers.

“We are poor. The family of my younger brother will face livelihood hardship and will be in trouble if he is detained like this,” he explained. “We caught fish because we became unemployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

U Tun Thar Sein, an Arakan State lawmakers for Mrauk-U Township, confirmed reports of the shooting, saying he did not know details.

DMG phoned a police official from the Mrauk-U police station seeking comment on the incident, including reports of a man detained, but the official’s mobile phone was powered off.