NarinjaraNews, 11 July  2022

A15-year-old middle school student was killed in a landmine explosion that tookplace in Ann township of Rakhine State, where the Myanmar military’s westerncommand is stationed.

Thevillagers found the body on Saturday morning and brought it to his residence tobury in the local graveyard.

 Thevictim has been identified as Maung Si Thu Kyaw Lin (aka Lin Lin), aneighth-grade student from Kazukaing village.

 “Weheard the sound of a landmine exploding at around 9 am on 9 July. The boy wentto a hill near the village looking for bamboo shoots. He died on the spot,”said a villager.

Localsinform that the military council is still stationed on the hill where the mineexploded.

During1 to 10 July, three villagers were killed and five others were injured inlandmine explosions in the State.

 PeThan, a former member of the Pyithu Hluttaw (people's assembly) for Myebontownship, informed Narinjara News that the area where the mines exploded was inthe vicinity of the battalion.

"Landminesare now more likely to be located in areas where the Burmese troops werestationed. One can suspect that they may plant new mines to protect their camp.Often the mines are not removed which later hurt common people. The militarycouncil must take its responsibility,” he added.

UMyat Tun, the director of Rakhine Human Rights Defenders Association, said thatthe landmines in Rakhine were planted by the military council and that newmines are still being planted.

"Ifthey (army) refuse, the international mine experts should be invited to examinethe issue. We strongly oppose the junta forces for the mines that hit thelocals,” he added.

PeThan added that the series of landmine blasts had raised the concern of commonpeople as it created difficulties for the artisans and also the refugees whowanted to return home.

"Thelandmine explosions have prevented the refugees from returning to theirvillages, even though many of them want to go back to their places,” he added.

At 12noon on 8 July, a landmine exploded near Paung Tot village under Mrauk-Utownship, injuring four Muslim children. Two of them were taken to Myaungbwe hospitalwith serious injuries.

HlaMaung (35) hailing from Myalikan village under Kyauktaw township died atApaukwa village hospital on 4 July after he was hit by a landmine while grazinghis cattle in a field near the village.

On 3July, Maung Hla Tun (28) from Upper Kha Chi Myaung village, who went to cutbamboos near 9 division under Minbya township, faced a landmine blast and isnow recovering with a broken leg.

On 1July, U Than Sein Maung (45) from Wet Hmaing village under Kyauktaw township,died at Sittwe general hospital after being hit by a landmine while searchingfor cattle in the western part of their village.

 Theincreased number of landmines explosions have taken place in several Rakhinetownships like  Ann, Myebon,  Mrauk-U, Minbya and Rathedaung.