Narinjara News, 5 May 2023

A 4-year-old Mro ethnic boy died on the spot when an old remnant bomb exploded in Wet Kyein village underMaungdaw township of northern RakhineState, which is close to the Bangladesh border.

The incident took place on 3 May and the victim has been identified as Maung Pai Way.

The son of U Maung Po from Wet Kyein village was playing near the forest area at about 4 pm on Wednesdaywhere he found an old remnant bomb.He took it to home but on the way to his residence it exploded where the boy died on the spot.

"It happened when he was climbing the stairs to his house. Both his father and mother were not available athome. Three brothers, who were thereat that moment, however survived,” said a local resident.

The minor boy was buried at the village cemetery next morning.

Locals suspect that old remnant bombs were left over from the battle ground between the Burmese forces andArakan Army members that took placein 2022. The battle ground emerged in the mountains between Wet Kyein and Yan Aung Pyin villages.

A village head revealed that both the armed groups fought for about half an hour on 10 November last year.

“We always advise children of our village not to go near the places to avoid untoward incidents,” he added.

It is reported that two houses in Yan Aung Pyin village weredestroyed by the fireduring the battle.

The local residents stated that those remains of military weapons in the vicinity of villages arethreatening the loves and those should becleared by the concerned authorities as soon as possible.

After a temporary ceasefire between the two groups the situation in Rakhine State turns peaceful now. Butregular explosions of landmine remaina matter of concern for the local people. They are worried to go for collecting firewood in theforests.

No less than seven people died and 14 other injured (including five teenagers) recently in landmineexplosions.