Landmines pose growing threat to Kyaukphyu farmers

By Admin 10 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 June 2024, Kyaukphyu

Villagers in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township have expressed concern for their safety as the regime has planted landmines near their villages.

Junta soldiers planted landmines near at least 16 villages since early 2024, according to  residents.

“The regime planted landmines during their raids and in places where they stayed. Sometimes, they came in vehicles to deliberately plant landmines. Locals often see junta soldiers going from place to place carrying landmines in their baskets,” said a resident.

The regime has planted landmines on forest footpaths, hills, shortcuts through farms, the outer areas of forests where locals search for food, and croplands, said residents.

“There can be landmines anywhere. So, villagers are told not to go anywhere close to the places junta soldiers have raided,” said a resident of Ohn Taw Village.

Since renewed conflict between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) began in November, at least four people have died and 10 others were injured in landmine blasts in six Kyaukphyu Township villages including Ohn Taw. Locals also reported deaths of cattle in blasts.

Many locals say they dare not go to their farmlands, their main source of livelihood in the rainy season, due to the threat of landmines.

“People are preparing to grow monsoon paddy in the north of the village where they think it is safe from landmines,” said a farmer from Kulabar Village. “However, people like us in the south of the village will not be able to grow paddy unless landmines are cleared. We will starve if we can’t work on our farms.”

Military tensions between the regime and AA are running high in Kyaukphyu Township, though no fighting has yet been reported.