- Web Master
- June 07, 2023
Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara
News, 26 August 2024
A man was killed after he
stepped on a landmine in Ponnagyun township of Arakan State. The
deceased is identified as U Maung Kyaw Htay (37) hailing from Thar Si village
under the township.
According to the Ponnagyun
Youths Association (PYA), which assisted him, U Maung Kyaw Htay accidentally
stepped on a landmine planted by the junta forces at around 4 pm on 24
August. The explosion severed his right leg below the knee and caused severe
injuries.
PYA reported that he
was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but died upon arrival. The
PYA statement did not specify the exact location where the land mine exploded.
Narinjara News tried to
contact the PYA and the deceased's family for additional details but remains
unable to do so due to technical difficulties.
At least two people were
killed 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 activists
emphasize on the increasing awareness about the land mines and also demand a
stricter restriction on entering such hazardous areas.
On 13 July, the
Arakan Army (AA) issued a warning to the civilians to be cautious about land
mines. It urged the people to avoid areas around the military camps as
well as temporary stations of junta forces and other known danger zones.
They also asked the residents to avoid foraging and grazing cattle in such
dangerous areas.
Photograph: A person
killed after stepping on a landmine in Thar Si village. Courtesy PYA