Kyeintali man injured in landmine blast

By Admin 03 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 August 2024, Gwa

A resident of Kyeintali Town, part of Arakan State’s Gwa Township, was severely injured in a landmine blast on Friday, according to local residents.

U Ko Gyi, 41, stepped on the landmine while collecting timber logs on the beach east of Kyeintali Town on August 2. He lost his right leg in the landmine explosion.

“He was seriously injured after he stepped on a landmine while collecting timber logs stranded on the beach east of Kyeintali Town to be used as firewood,” said a resident of Kyeintali.

U Ko Gyi is being treated at Kyeintali Hospital and he is in need of financial assistance for medical treatment.

The regime has planted numerous landmines near Kyeintali Town in recent months, following renewed hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) that began in Arakan State in November. Though fighting has not yet erupted in Gwa Township, the regime has reportedly tightened security and made preparations to defend against the AA’s anticipated advances on the township.

Since July 19, the regime has also banned fishing, a key source of livelihood for Kyeintali residents, in the coastal waters nearby.

“The regime has imposed a fishing ban and planted landmines in multiple locations. The fishermen and grassroots who rely on the forests are worried that they will go hungry,” said a social activist in Gwa Township.

Two people have been killed and three others were seriously injured in landmine blasts in Gwa Township since renewed fighting between the Myanmar military and AA began in Arakan State more than eight months ago.