Landmines pose livelihood threat to Rakhine ethnic minorities

Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 16 May 2024

The Rakhine ethnic minority people, who rely on mountains and forests for their livelihood, are facing difficulties due to their concerns over landmine explosions.

Among  seven Rakhine ethnic groups,  Mro, Thet, Khami and Daingnet communities primarily depend on mountain areas for their livelihoods. They work in the mountain fields and orchards.

During the resurgent fighting between the junta forces and Arakha Army (AA) fighters, the ethnic minorities continued to depend on mountain and forest areas for their survival even though those turned into a war zone.

The junta forces planted a large number of  landmines in the mountains and forests. So the people are scared of going to those areas now.

U Ingar Aung, a Khami individual, stated that they burn the upland to cultivate orchards. But it may  lead to landmine explosions.

“The explosions have compelled the people to avoid those areas because of fear. So they are facing livelihood difficulties now,” added the individual.

The Khami community lives  across Ann, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and Buthidaung townships and their total population will be over 100,000.

U Zani Phyu, chairman of Mro literature and culture association, informed Narinjara News that the landmines in various conflict ridden Rakhine localities still scare the people. Moreover, the junta soldiers have planted new landmines and thus they made it impossible for the people to work in those areas.

"They have not cleared the landmines from many mountains and forests. The junta officials should clear the landmines so that Mro as well as Rakhine, Khami, Thet people can  work in those areas.

The Mro people live in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, northern Buthidaung and northern Maungdaw townships and they have a total population of around 40,000.

The Rakhine ethnic minorities, who are unable to work in the forests and mountains due to the danger of landmines, cannot even return to their villages and thus they are compelled to live with difficulties as internally displaced persons.

As the rainy season approaches, they will face more livelihood difficulties. So the residents are insisting on removing the landmines and increasing awareness about the danger of  landmine explosions.

According to data gathered by Narinjara News, four innocent civilians were killed, twelve people lost their legs and fifteen others were injured during March and April because of ongoing resurgence of fighting in the Rakhine region.