Minority man loses his leg in mine explosion

Narinjara News, 19 January 2023

At a time, while the military authority continues asking the Rakhine IDPs of many townships to return back to villages without any cleaning policy of land mines planted by the junta army, a landmine exploded recently where a minority man had to lose one of his legs.

The victim, identified as Ko Kyaw San (24 years old son of U Bodhhu Aung from Nadin Khami village), went to the jungle to collect firewood and faced the explosion on 18 January.

One of his legs was amputated in the hospital after he sustained  serious injuries, said a family member.

“He was injured as stepped on a landmine. The mine exploded near the number 378 battalion camp in Mrauk U town.

A resident of Nandin Khami village informed that Kyaw San was cutting firewood in the village graveyard and stepped on a junta planted mine. His right leg was amputated and still recovering in the Mrauk U public hospital.

Incidents of landmine blast across Rakhine State have increased in recent years.  On 29 September last, a  junta planted landmine explosion killed a 20 years old man in Mrauk U locality.

Meanwhile, on 13 January, two landmine explosions took place near Taung Phyu mountain (where the military council forces are stationed) and near Phan Myung village under Min Pya township. However, none was injured, stated the local residents.

Even though the military council army and Arakan Army members have joined in an informal cease-fire, the common people of Arakan State are suffering from the landmines. Moreover, the places where the gun fighting took place still have remnants of military weapons creating unwanted sensation among local villagers.