During the battles between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, the number of civilian casualties caused by landmines is increasing, and five people were injured by landmines in March.
Local residents died when they stepped on landmines near the places where the junta soldiers were stationed, military camps and police stations.
A local man from Arakan State said: ÒWe are worried about the military council’s shelling and airstrikes. We are afraid that we would step on the mines planted by the military council. We are no longer safe.”
Since the fighting erupted on 13 November 2023 till 16 March 2024, two people were killed and 20 others injured by landmine explosions in Arakan State, according to the record. (The number may be higher than that on the ground.)
Those killed in the landmine explosions are: one each from Buthidaung and Maungdaw. The injured are: four each from Minbya, Myebon and Kyaukphyu, two each from Kyauktaw, Rathedaung and Maungdaw and one each from Buthidaung and Ann.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance has warned the public to take special caution as the military council usually plants landmines, anti-personnel mines, bounding anti-personnel mine and stake mine near their camps, towns, villages, schools, religious building and public areas.
On 13 March, a woman from Kyaryepyin village of Minbya Township lost her left leg as she stepped on a landmine while collecting firewood near the village. On the same day, a man from Kantharhtwetwa ward in Myebon lost his right leg and sustained injury in his left leg.
On 11 March, a local man from the officer ward in Kyaukphyu and a local man from Mintattaung village lost their left legs as they stepped on the landmine.
A local man from Kyaukphyu said: “Now, the people are injured by mine explosions in the villages near the town. There is no danger of landmines in the town, but if we go outside the town, we are worried about the risk of losing our life.”
The Three Brotherhood Alliance has warned the public to go out with caution if they inevitably travel to the places where fighting is taking place and the military council is firing heavy weapons indiscriminately and to avoid touching military equipment as the military council’s bounding anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war can explode at any time.
The number of civilian casualties is rising as the military council which is losing its ground in Arakan State, are carrying out targeted airstrikes and shelling on towns and villages and planting landmines.
Sent by Aung Htain (DMG)