Locals decry rising landmine casualties in Arakan State, call for concerted clearance campaign

By DMG 15 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
15 July 2022, Sittwe

Despite the cessation of active hostilities between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, casualties from landmines have risen in recent months, with rural residents particularly vulnerable and calls growing for the military council to clear the deadly remnants of past conflict.

Although the Myanmar military cleared landmines along the Yangon-Sittwe road and other main thoroughfares after the fighting stopped toward the end of 2020, landmines in rural and forested areas still need to be cleared, according to locals.

“The Myanmar military did not clear the landmines in areas that really needed to be cleared,” said Ko Shwe Than Kyaw, a member of the Mrauk-U Youths Association (MUYA). “Now, despite the absence of fighting, landmine explosions are almost always present. Concerned authorities need to clear the landmines by taking the lives of the people into consideration.”

“Many people are killed in landmine blasts while working on the farm or collecting vegetables or bamboo in the forest. How can we make a living? We live in fear due to the risks of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs),” said Ko Nay Lin Oo, a resident of Myarlikan village in Kyauktaw Township.

The Myanmar military’s efforts to clear landmines in Arakan State were not satisfactory, said U Pe Than, a former Lower House lawmaker for Myebon Township.

“Landmine explosions have been frequently reported in locations where the Myanmar military was stationed. But the Myanmar military didn’t clear the landmines in the areas where frequent landmine blasts are reported. Even if the Myanmar military can’t clear the landmines, they should warn people not to come to areas where landmines are planted,” the ex-legislator told DMG.

In the absence of fighting, the two formerly warring parties should clear the landmines in consultation with each other, said Ko Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).

“In the past, the Myanmar military cleared the landmines on the roads, not for the people, but for the sake of their troops. Landmines are more likely to be found in forests [and fields], where people work, than on roads. I think armed groups should clear the landmines in the forested areas rather than on the roads,” he added.

As of this month, at least six people have been killed and 20 others injured in encounters with landmines and ERWs in Arakan State so far this year, according to the REC.

The Myanmar military and the Arakan Army fought across several Arakan State townships, as well as in Paletwa Township, Chin State, from late 2018 until November 2020, when they reached an informal ceasefire arrangement.