Ponnagyun man killed in landmine blast

By Admin 25 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 August 2024, Ponnagyun

A local man from Thazi Village, part of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, was reportedly killed on Saturday in a landmine explosion being blamed on a military-planted device.

The 37-year-old victim, identified as U Maung Kyaw Htay, was killed after he stepped on a landmine on a hill near the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 550 on August 24.

“He stepped on a landmine while going to the hill. He initially lost one of his legs and he was pronounced dead at the hospital,” said an official from the Ponnagyun Youths Association (PYA).

Junta soldiers have been stationed on the hill near Thazi Village close to the military’s LIB No. 550.

The AA seized control of the entire Ponnagyun including the military’s LIB No. 550 on March 4.

However, due to the danger of landmines planted by regime troops, there are casualties among the locals, and they are facing challenges doing work that relies on the forests.

“Some residents stepped on landmines at the locations where junta soldiers were once stationed. Locals face risks of landmines. Rural people who rely on the forests for their livelihood face livelihood hardships due to the risks of landmines,” said a social activist in Ponnagyun Township.

A 42-year-old man from Thazi Village was killed in a landmine explosion after he stepped on a landmine while going to the forests to cut down firewood on June 22.

“The AA should have made prominent signs to prevent the locals from going to landmine danger areas. There is a need for all-around and comprehensive action by the AA to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines,” said a resident of Ponnagyun.

Residents have also been killed by landmines planted by the military in the townships still controlled by the regime.