Narinjara News, 2 October 2022

Ayoung man died in the hospital succumbing to injuries sustained as he steppedon a landmine, suspected to be planted by the army personnel, in downtown areasof Mrauk U, an ancient city of Arakan dynasty.

It was the first incident of a landmine explosion in thedowntown area of Mruak U.

The victim has beenidentified as Ko Than Naing Kyaw (20 years old, son of U Tun Shwe), who workedat a car repair shop at Myo Theik ward.

The explosion took placeas he went to the place of Kyauk Rike Cay interjection.

“When he stepped on the powerful mine, his body was thrown away on theroad. Both of his legs were severely injured,” said a local villager whiletalking to Narinjara News.

The locals brought himto the nearby hospital by an ambulance but he died after 7 hours of hisarrival.

The Mrauk U residents suspect that the mine was planted by thejunta forces targeting the villagers.

"Arakanese peopledo not have space to argue with the military personnel. Everyone knows that the mines were planted by them. The mine experts can easily identify who prepared andplanted those. They should think of the parents whohave lost their children in landmine blasts without any guilt," headded.

Ko Than Naing Kyaw'scremation was done on Friday in the afternoon hours, informed a resident ofMrauk U.

On 22 September, U TunHla Thein (43), hailing from Oh Pong Taung village under MinBya township died with mine explosion injuries as he stepped on it,allegedly planted  by the Central Military Training School (9), whilehe was herding the cattle.

During August andSeptember, Rakhine State witnessed several mine explosions. A number ofcivilians sustained injuries because of the mine blasts.

According to the RakhineEthnic Congress (REC), at least seven people were killed and 20 injured in mineexplosions from January to July 2022 across Arakan State.