Thinzar New and Aung Kywe Nyein, Narinjara News, 9 May 2024

 
The threat of junta planted landmines looms  in Rakhine State as two menand a woman sustained serious injuries in Kyaukphyu, Ann and Taungup townshipsdue to landmine explosions in two days.

At around 8:30 am on 7 May, U Tun Naing (45) steppedon a landmine in a forest road of Phayar Kone under Kyaukphyu Taung as he wentto cut bamboo. His left leg had to be  amputated below the knee. Hesustained injuries in other parts of the body also, said a resident. Currentlyhe is undergoing medical treatment.

Similarly, at around  8 am on 6 May, Daw Khin Than Hlaing (48) from AungTha Pyay road in  Kan Paing ward of Taungup township stepped on a landminewhile he was searching for vegetables on the old burial mountain near amilitary base in front of Taungup blood donor association’s office. She alsolost her left leg.

According to a resident of Kyar Moung village, a 9thgrade Chin student lost his left leg after stepping on a landmine as he waspicking cashews in their own  farm on 6 May at around 5 pm. The boy isidentified as Maung La Yaung Min (15).

“There is an oil pipeline near the village. The junta forcesplanted the landmines along the road built above the pipeline. We have heardthat the soldiers planted landmines in many other places near the village whichscare the villagers,” added the resident.

On 30 April at around 6 am, U Maung Aye (75) lost one leg as he stepped on a landmine while going to pick cashews in Nga LetKya village under  Ann township.

The Rakhine villagers face the landmines and otherlife-threatening military weapons in their daily activities like fishing,plucking vegetables, cutting bamboos etc. As many villagers have lost preciouslives and some sustained serious injuries, the conscious citizens insisted onincreasing awareness over the landmines.