Four Ponnagyun Twsp men injured in landmine explosion

By DMG 13 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
13 August 2022, Ponnagyun 

Four people were injured in a landmine blast on Saturday in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, with one of the victims said to be in critical condition. 

The four men from Buddhaw and Mawywa villages in Ponnagyun Township were wounded after encountering the landmine while searching for cattle and vegetables near Minma Hill at around noon on August 13. 

The victims have been identified as U Aung Chan Sein, 60, and U Aung Win Thein, 35, from Mawywa village, and U Maung Gyi Aung, 57, and Ko Win Aung, 21, from Buddhaw village. 

“U Aung Chan Sein lost his right arm and U Aung Win Thein sustained injuries to his chest. Two others sustained injuries to their thigh and calf. Only doctors will know who is more seriously injured,” said Ko Soe Min Tun, a philanthropist assisting the victims. 

Three of the landmine victims were sent by ambulance to Yoetayoke rural healthcare centre, while U Aung Chan Sein was transferred to Sittwe for medical treatment on Saturday evening, according to Ko Soe Min Tun, an information in-charge of the Thukha Myittar social organisation. 

About two miles from Buddhaw village, the location of Saturday’s landmine blast was the scene of previous fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army in 2019. 

“They [the four men] were injured in a landmine explosion. I was informed about the incident at around 1 p.m. Locals used to go there because there are many pasturelands. I am concerned for the safety of other people,” said U Maung Kyaw Hlaing, the administrator of Buddhaw village. 

Though sustained conflict between the military and Arakan Army came to a halt toward the end of 2020, landmine casualties in Arakan State have continued with regularity in the months since. 

An elderly man from Ngasinyaine Chaung village in Minbya Township was severely injured in a landmine explosion on August 5. 

As of August 13, at least six people had been killed and 25 others injured in encounters with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in Arakan State so far this year, according to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress.