A 50-year-old Chin woman from Zaung Lay village in Falam Township of Chin State died on the spot after stepping on a landmine while searching for medicinal plant roots in the forest on the morning of 19 October.
“She went to the forest to search for medicinal plant roots as she had to buy rice by searching for medicinal plants. Her right leg was crushed as she stepped on the landmine planted by the military council. Her left leg was cut off. She died on the spot,” her relative said.
The victim’s name is Pi Biak Za Nem. The mother of six children died at the entrance road to Hlan Zawl village, seven miles away from Zaung Lay village, according to the relative of the victim.
The military council force is stationed at the entrance of Thu Pe village where the landmine explosion occurred. Local residents said the landmine may be planted by the military council.
Zaung Lay village with 40 households is located about 30 miles from Falam, according to local residents.
According to the record of Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), the landmine explosions have killed 20 Chin people and wounded 37 others in Chin State since the coup.
Sent by KMG