Army warns that owners must pay if planted landmines are exploded by cattle

The Myanmar military junta army officials warned the villagers that if the cattle step on the landmines, planted by the security forces for protection of their camps, and subsequently explode, the owner (of those animals) will have to pay the price of mines.

On 16 May, two buffaloes (owned by farmers of Pyint Taw village under Rathedaung township) were killed by a landmine blast. The mine was planted by the military personnel near Ma Nyin Taung village, where they have a camp.

The army officials summoned some villagers to their outpost and warned that they have to pay compensation if the cattle step on the mines and explode.

They also asked the villagers not to bring their livestock to the nearer places of their camp, where landmines are planted.

It is unfortunate that the villagers will lose in both ways. They have to sacrifice their cattle and additionally to pay the price of mines, said a local resident.

Prior to cyclone Mocha, a buffalo from Pyint Taw village and a cow from Kon Dan village were killed by landmine-explosions near Ma Nyint Taung village.

In 2019, when the Arakan Army (AA) was fighting fiercely against the  junta forces, many of security groups entered in some villages under Rathedaung township.

Now there exists an informal ceasefire between the military council and AA leaders but even though many military camps are functioning in some villages like Hti Swe, Ray So Chaung, Amyat Taung, Ma Nyint Taung and Sauk Khat.

In 2020, a man (around 50 years old) hailing from Kula Chaung village and two others (over 60) from Ma Soe Chaung village (Nga Sambo) werekilled when they stepped on landmines planted by the security forces.

Two other elderly men from Ma Nyint Taung village also faced a landmine blast near an army camp where one had to lose a leg and the other sustained major injuries.