Maung Sar Ga, NarinjaraNews, 26 August 2024

A man was killed after hestepped on a landmine in Ponnagyun township of Arakan State. Thedeceased is identified as U Maung Kyaw Htay (37) hailing from Thar Si villageunder the township.

According to the PonnagyunYouths Association (PYA), which assisted him, U Maung Kyaw Htay accidentallystepped on a landmine planted by the junta forces at around 4  pm on 24August. The explosion severed his right leg below the knee and caused severeinjuries.

PYA reported that hewas taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but died upon arrival. ThePYA statement did not specify the exact location where the land mine exploded.

Narinjara News tried tocontact the PYA and the deceased's family for additional details but remainsunable to do so due to technical difficulties.

At least two people werekilled by landmine explosions in Thar Si village in the three months.

In Arakan State,often the rural residents go for fishing and foraging and accidentally step on landmines in the forests and die or injure severely.

The social activistsemphasize on the increasing awareness about the land mines and also demand astricter restriction on entering such hazardous areas.

On 13 July, theArakan Army (AA) issued a warning to the civilians to be cautious about landmines. It urged the people to avoid areas around the  military camps aswell as  temporary stations of junta forces and other known danger zones.They also asked the residents to avoid foraging and grazing cattle in suchdangerous areas.

Photograph: A personkilled after stepping on a landmine in Thar Si village. Courtesy PYA