Paletwa Twsp villager seriously injured in landmine explosion

By DMG 30 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 May 2022, Paletwa, Chin State

A local man from Paletwa Township, Chin State, was severely injured in a landmine blast on Saturday [May 28] and was admitted to Sittwe General Hospital on May 29. 

The victim was identified as Ko Aung Aung Oo, 20, from Ngasha village. He was wounded while returning home from his farm along with his mother on May 28. 

“They use the road every day. The landmine was planted in the centre of the road. They didn’t see the landmine when they went to their farm in the morning,” said Daw Pyi Koe, a relative of the victim. 

Ko Aung Aung Oo had to have his right leg amputated, and was also treated for injuries to his left ankle, lower back and arms.  

There have been past clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in the mountains about three miles from where the landmine exploded. Local farmers are concerned about the blast and have called on the authorities to clear it. 

“I want the concerned officials to clear the landmines because I am worried that other people will become the victims of landmines,” a resident said. 

Ko Aung Aung Oo lives with his mother and has earned a living as a farmer since his father died. In recent years, he has had to suspend farming due to the previous conflict between the military and Arakan Army, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“They went to their farm to resume farming like other people. They are struggling to make ends meet. How can his mother make a living and resume farming after the incident?” Daw Pyi Koe said. 

“The landmine victim is being treated with money contributed by some people,” she added. “When this incident happened, I was at a loss for words.” 

Fighting broke out between the military and the Arakan Army on Thursday near the village of Abaung Thar in the west of Paletwa Township on May 26.