Border News Agency
Pauktaw, July 31
A nine‑year‑old fourth‑grade student in Hinkharaw Village, Pauktaw Township, being raped by an elderly man as reported by villagers.
That young woman was forcibly raped by a 69-year-old monk.
Family members said that the child was forcibly raped on the morning of July 28 inside the Dhamma Hall of the monastery in Hinkharaw Village.
Family members said that when she returned from attending school at the Dhamma Hall in the village, she went back to retrieve a forgotten umbrella, at which point a monk dragged her and forcibly raped her. The monk was identified as 69-year-old U Sandima, a displaced person from Sittwe, whose lay name is U Sein Hla Htun.
It was reported that the victim’s mother filed a complaint with the Arakan Army (AA) on July 29, and the police are now conducting an investigation.
The perpetrator has been arrested by the Township Sangha Nayaka Committee and has been charged under Penal Code Section 375 for attempted rape after disrobing.
On June 20th of last year, in Loon Lone Pike Village, located in the indicated township, a 24-year-old woman was the victim of an attempted sexual assault by a male neighbor.
In adfition, a 9-year-old girl was raped and killed in Pharpyo Village, Minbra Township on May 6th.
In areas affected by armed conflict, women lack safety and security, making it necessary to provide them with legal protection.
