Residents and rubber plantation owners are concerned after military junta troops planted landmines near the Eon Saw Mon rubber factory and Ye Ta Khon village in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State.
A resident of Ye Ta Khon village said that the junta troops had already laid landmines before the fierce fighting between them and the joint resistance forces at the Ah Nan Kwin strategic camp in early August.
“They (the junta troops) themselves said they laid mines even before the battle started. There are mines both outside and around the village. Even they themselves don’t dare to run around randomly. We’re worried because we have to look for firewood for cooking and also vegetables. We have to go to these areas, so we’re afraid of stepping on mines. I’m not sure if they have been cleared yet,” said the villager.
He added that local plantation workers and day laborers traveling to the area are scared due to the constant casualties from landmine explosions.
Four people have also been injured by landmine explosions near the Eon Saw Mon rubber factory and around Ye Ta Khon village since 22 August to date, and one woman has died, according to locals.
In addition, a local resident said that due to the information blackout by the military council, emergency vehicles cannot reach the people injured by landmines in time and the injured can only be treated at Thanbyuzayat Hospital.
“They aren’t allowing transportation to Mawlamyine Hospital. They have blocked the information. The people can only be treated in Thanbyuzayat. Their lives are in danger. Two people have already been injured by mines. One man from Thanbyuzayat, we don’t know if he’s alive or dead. Another person died on the spot because the vehicles couldn’t reach the area in time,” he said.
At least six locals were killed or injured by artillery, drone attacks and landmines in villages along the Thanbyuzayat – Ah Nan Kwin – Hpa Yar Thone Su road during the resistance offensive on the junta’s strategic hill in Ah Nan Kwin village, Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State.
Although no fighting is currently taking place in the Ah Nan Kwin strategic camp, the military situation remains tense.
According to UNICEF Myanmar, nearly 700 people were killed by landmines across Myanmar in the first six months of 2024.
Sent by IMNA.