Local residents in Ah Nan Kwin, Ye Ta Khon, Lut Shan, Than Pu Yar, and Khon Khan villages in Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State, are facing significant risks of landmine explosions while working in rubber plantations near conflict areas, struggling to maintain their livelihoods during prolonged displacement, according to people helping internally displaced persons (IDPs).
After the fighting between the two sides ceased due to the withdrawal of resistance forces this December, displaced people started working in rubber plantations near the conflict areas without receiving any assistance or support, raising concerns about landmine risks, said an IDP aid worker in Ah Nan Kwin.
“During brief periods of calm, people move back and forth to work. This makes the landmine situation extremely worrisome. But I can’t help them. And many people have been killed without being reported because of the fighting,” the IDP aid worker said.
Fighting began around mid-August when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and joint resistance forces launched offensives on the military council’s strategic base in Ah Nan Kwin village. In addition to the fighting between the two sides, at least eight people were injured in a landmine explosion east of the Ye-Thanbyuzayat road near Ye Ta Khon village.
Around 1,500 people were forced to flee their homes during the battle for Ye Ta Khon strategic base. These displaced locals have begun relocating towards Mawlamyine, Thanbyuzayat, Mudon, and Ye Townships, while others hiding in nearby forests. They are in urgent need of food and medicines.
During the early stages of the battle in August and September, four men and one woman working on the plantations lost their limbs due to the landmines. Then, in December, two people from Zee Hnit Pin and one man Pa Nga village in Thanbyuzayat were also injured in landmine incidents.
“The two villagers from Zee Hnit Pin were young people, over 20 years old. They were injured while clearing weeds in the rubber plantations. One of them had minor injuries and the other had serious damage to his legs. But the injuries are not fatal,” one resident said.
Currently, both junta troops and resistance forces are active in the area, making it difficult verify which group is responsible for the landmines.
The battle for the Ah Nan Kwin strategic base has continued intensely for nearly four months. With the military council struggling to reinforce their positions, they have increasingly relied on drone attacks, resulting in casualties among the joint resistance forces, including reported deaths on 5 December.
Sent by IMNA.
