Landmine threats loom in Rakhine State, 3 persons lose legs within 2 days

Thinzar New and Aung Kywe Nyein, Narinjara News, 9 May 2024

 
The threat of junta planted landmines looms  in Rakhine State as two men and a woman sustained serious injuries in Kyaukphyu, Ann and Taungup townships due to landmine explosions in two days.

At around 8:30 am on 7 May, U Tun Naing (45) stepped on a landmine in a forest road of Phayar Kone under Kyaukphyu Taung as he went to cut bamboo. His left leg had to be  amputated below the knee. He sustained injuries in other parts of the body also, said a resident. Currently he is undergoing medical treatment.

Similarly, at around  8 am on 6 May, Daw Khin Than Hlaing (48) from Aung Tha Pyay road in  Kan Paing ward of Taungup township stepped on a landmine while he was searching for vegetables on the old burial mountain near a military base in front of Taungup blood donor association’s office. She also lost her left leg.

According to a resident of Kyar Moung village, a 9th grade Chin student lost his left leg after stepping on a landmine as he was picking cashews in their own  farm on 6 May at around 5 pm. The boy is identified as Maung La Yaung Min (15).

“There is an oil pipeline near the village. The junta forces planted the landmines along the road built above the pipeline. We have heard that the soldiers planted landmines in many other places near the village which scare the villagers,” added the resident.

On 30 April at around 6 am, U Maung Aye (75) lost one  leg as he stepped on a landmine while going to pick cashews in Nga Let Kya village under  Ann township.

The Rakhine villagers face the landmines and other life-threatening military weapons in their daily activities like fishing, plucking vegetables, cutting bamboos etc. As many villagers have lost precious lives and some sustained serious injuries, the conscious citizens insisted on increasing awareness over the landmines.