Kyaukphyu man killed in landmine blast

By Admin 01 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
31 August 2024, Kyaukphyu

A 69-year-old man from Ngatpyawchaung Village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township was fatally injured in a landmine blast on Friday.

U Htaung Zan Wai stepped on a landmine while herding cows near paddy fields. He was sent to Kyaukphyu Hospital, but died at the hospital.

“His left leg was cut off from the knee. He was also badly injured in his right thigh, waist and upper body,” said a resident.

Junta troops and the Arakkha Army (AA) clashed near the location of the mine blast in February.

The regime has often planted landmines in the paddy fields, forests and mountains near Kalarbar, Pyaingsayke, Hnanphetaung, Ohntaw, Malakyun and Pyinshae villages, according to residents.

One Pyaingsayke villager said: “They planted landmines near cropland and paddy fields. The AA cleared landmines near the village. But the regime planted many landmines a little far from the village.”

In July, U Maung Wai Thei, 50, from Aung Zedi Village, lost his left leg after he stepped on a landmine while foraging for vegetables.

Junta landmines near villages and in paddy fields, forests and the mountains are creating livelihood hardships for locals.

“The regime has planted landmines on routes that it thinks the AA would use to advance on towns. Because of travel restrictions, locals rely on the mountains and forests to survive. They have to risk their life and limb just to stay alive,” said a Kyaukphyu resident.

According to a DMG tally, five people have been killed and 12 others were injured in landmine blasts in Kalarbar, Pyaingsayke, Hnanphetaung, Ohntaw, Malakyun and Aung Zedi villages since renewed fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the AA began in November.

Military tensions are running high in Kyaukphyu Township, which has been encircled by the AA.