Landmine blast injures two in Taungup Twsp

By Admin 25 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 June 2024, Taungup

Two locals from Done Village in Arakan State’s Taungup Township were severely injured in a landmine blast on Tuesday morning and a third is missing after they stepped on a landmine while going to the hills west of the Taungup University to collect vegetables.

“Members of social organisations rushed to the scene of the landmine blast to carry out a rescue operation and found two landmine victims. A male landmine victim went missing and we don’t know exactly whether he is alive or dead,” said a local resident.

Daw Apu Chay lost her left leg and U Maung Ni lost his right leg in the landmine encounter. The pair are currently receiving medical treatment at Taungup Hospital.

“We did our best, but gave up our plan to search for the missing landmine victim,” a social activist wrote on his social media page.

Junta soldiers have been stationed at Taungup University and set up security outposts around two furlongs from their camp.

Done Village is three furlongs from Taungup University and locals have accused the military of planting the landmine that detonated on Tuesday.

Civilian casualties continue to rise in Arakan State due to blasts of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs).

Surviving landmine victims often face challenges returning to working life — if they can at all. The victims and their families are affected psychologically and financially, and social support networks are strained, particularly as much aid to the region has dried up. 

“Family members face livelihood hardships if a breadwinner is hit by a landmine. We should provide emotional and financial support to families affected by landmines,” said a female social activist.

Military tensions between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) are running high in Taungup Township, with the regime preparing a defence around the eponymous town.