Landmine victims rise alongside hostilities in Arakan State

By Admin 13 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 January 2024, Sittwe

The number of civilians killed and wounded by landmines continues to rise amid the ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

One civilian was killed and 10 others injured between November 13 and January 12. The victim was killed in Buthidaung Township, while two each in Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myebon and Rathedaung townships and one each in Ann and Maungdaw townships were injured, according to a DMG tally.

A 28-year-old Muslim man from Zay Wa Village in Kyauktaw Township stepped on a landmine near Light Infantry Battalion No. 376 on Friday. He lost his left leg, and his right leg was also badly injured.

“He went to Daung Taung Yoe Village to buy cows. As he passed near Light Infantry Battalion No. 376, he stepped on a landmine planted on a farm,” said a resident.

A 25-year-old Muslim man from Phone Nyo Leik Village in Buthidaung Township lost his right leg after stepping on a landmine said to have been planted by Light Infantry Battalion No. 209 on Wednesday on his way to collect firewood.

“He was badly injured, and we sent him to Buthidaung Hospital. He died there at around 11 p.m. [on Wednesday],” said a resident of Phone Nyo Leik. 

Victims’ landmine encounters have tended to cluster near junta outposts and police stations. Regime troops are accused of planting landmines near their bases to deter AA attacks.

“We have to work daily to earn a living. We make a living by cutting wood. We have fears because of recent mine explosions. We want to urge the Myanmar military not to plant landmines in places where locals earn their livelihoods,” said a Buthidaung resident.