Young man died in Mrauk U landmine explosion

Narinjara News, 2 October 2022

A young man died in the hospital succumbing to injuries sustained as he stepped on a landmine, suspected to be planted by the army personnel, in downtown areas of Mrauk U, an ancient city of Arakan dynasty.

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

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

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

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

The locals brought him to the nearby hospital by an ambulance but he died after 7 hours of his arrival.

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

"Arakanese people do 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 and planted those. They should think of the parents who have lost their children in landmine blasts without any guilt," he added.

Ko Than Naing Kyaw's cremation was done on Friday in the afternoon hours, informed a resident of Mrauk U.

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

During August and September, Rakhine State witnessed several mine explosions. A number of civilians sustained injuries because of the mine blasts.

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