Maungdaw Twsp boy killed in landmine blast

03 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
3 February 2023, Maungdaw

A boy from Khamaungseik Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, was reportedly killed in a landmine explosion on the afternoon of February 2.

The Grade 5 student, identified as Maung Kyaw Soe, stepped on the landmine near a bunker about 15 feet from a police outpost in Khamaungseik Village, said Daw Khin Myo Nyein, an aunt of the victim.

“We didn’t notice that he went missing, searched for him and found his body at around 3 p.m. He always strays from home to catch birds. I am saddened by his death and his parents are devastated,” she said.

Maung Kyaw Soe sustained multiple, fatal injuries to his head, legs, and arms in the landmine blast and his body was buried on Friday, according to family members.

Fighting was reported near the Khamaungseik police outpost during the most recent period of conflict between the military and Arakan Army, from August until late November.

Khamaungseik Village is home to about 1,000 people, the majority of whom rely on farming to earn a living.

“Following the incident, all residents are worried about their safety. The villagers are now informing each other not to go to the farms, forests and police station. I don’t know what will happen in the future as all local people rely on farming for their livelihoods,” said a resident of Khamaungseik Village.

On January 27, a 53-year-old man identified as U Than Shwe Maung was killed near Pharpyo Village, part of Arakan State’s Minbya Township, after he stepped on a landmine east of the Rahmoung Bridge, about two furlongs from the village, while on his way to cut down trees for firewood.

Since November 26 — when the Arakan Army and Myanmar military reached an informal ceasefire — three people have been killed and five others were injured in landmine explosions in Arakan State.