Locals in junta-held Sittwe fear landmines planted by military

By Admin 18 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 May 2024, Sittwe

Local people in the Arakan State capital Sittwe are worried about the danger of landmines as junta soldiers have planted landmines around the city and at entry and exit security checkpoints.

U Maung Than Hlaing, a 38-year-old man from Shwe Pyar Ward in Sittwe, lost one of his legs in a landmine encounter while travelling to visit relatives on Wednesday.

“He was severely injured and lost one of his legs after he stepped on a landmine planted by the Myanmar military on his way to Kyaytaw Paikseik Village on May 15,” said a neighbourhood resident.

U Maung Than Hlaing is currently receiving medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital.

After the Arakkha Army (AA) occupied Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships bordering Sittwe Township, the regime tightened security in and outside of the Arakan State capital, planting landmines around the city.

“There are people being injured by landmines in Sittwe, and the risk of landmines is worrying. Before, almost no one was injured by a landmine in Sittwe. Now we know that the regime planted landmines everywhere in the city and outside the city,” said a Sittwe man.

Afraid that armed hostilities might soon break out in Sittwe, many residents have fled their homes, and trapped residents are faced with the threat of landmines, junta arrests and shortages of commodities.

Some 200 residents attempted to flee Sittwe by boat on April 20 for fear that fighting might soon break out between the regime and AA in the town. They were shot at and stopped by junta troops deployed on Kantkaw Island. Three were killed and approximately 10 others were injured when they stepped on landmines while fleeing the junta’s indiscriminate shooting. More than 100 people were arrested.

The regime has reportedly been detaining about 100 civilians in Sittwe under the pretext of conducting overnight guest checks since the resumption of hostilities between the military and AA.