Gwa residents say township now littered with junta landmines

By Admin 02 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 July 2024, Gwa

Myanmar’s military regime in Arakan State’s Gwa Township has planted landmines in the forests, along roadsides, near military regiments and around Gwa Town, according to local people.

Authorities from the Gwa Township General Administration Department (GAD) issued a public announcement about landmines planted around the town, and erected signs in rural areas to warn of the presence of landmines, residents said.

“Officials from the township GAD warned locals about the risks of landmines on June 30. No one dares go to the forest,” said a local man in Kyeintalin Town.

Most rural residents of Gwa Township make a living by farming, collecting vegetables, and cutting down firewood. People who depend on the forests for their livelihood are facing many difficulties as the regime is believed to have planted numerous landmines in the township.

A man in his 50s was killed in a landmine explosion in Gwa Township while he was returning home from the jungle with three companions on June 29.

“Although there are landmines, we may have to sacrifice our lives to earn a living. We can’t survive without food,” said a local resident.

There have been no clashes between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) in Gwa and Manaung townships to date.

Myanmar’s military regime has prepared a defence in Gwa Township against attacks from the AA after the ethnic armed group launched offensives against other junta positions in southern Arakan State.

“The regime has boosted a defence in Gwa and sent reinforcements to Gwa from Ayeyarwady Region. The regime has tightened security checks on local people to prevent the Arakkha Army and People’s Defence Force (PDF) from entering Gwa Township,” said a local man.

The AA has thus far seized nine townships in Arakan State, Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State, and scores of military camps elsewhere in Arakan State, with the theatre of conflict now expanded into Thandwe, Ann, Taungup and Kyaukphyu townships.