Maung Sar
Ga
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.