More than 10 locals have been hit by the junta’s landmines in Mone Township in Nyaunglebin District in Bago Region, which is Brigade-3 of the Karen National Union (KNU) since April till date, according to local sources.
An official of the emergency rescue team in Mone Township said, “They (military council) were stationed in the villages for more than two weeks and planted landmines at the entrance of huts and on the roads. More than 10 people were hit by landmines. A 14-year-old child lost two legs due to an 18-landmine while entering the bomb shelter to take his belongings. The people are impatient although we have informed them not to return. Many farm animals are also hit by landmines.”
The military council planted landmines after the junta’s military columns withdrew from Yayle (Bamar), Yayle (Karen), Ahnyarsu and Naungkone villages in Mone Township. Some locals, including a 14-year-old child, stepped on landmines.
Among the landmines planted by the military council in the villages are high-explosive mines. An increase in the number of mine victims is linked to the fact that the military council planted landmines in crowded areas, some locals said.
“Most of mine victims are those who temporarily returned to their homes after the withdrawal of the military. Now the military uses anti-vehicle mines. The people here are hit by the junta’s landmines. No one has been hit by landmines planted by resistance forces. Resistance forces have planted landmines only on the roads where the junta forces retreat. Many are hit by landmines as the military council has planted landmines in houses and rice barns,” said a local woman.
As the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) is carrying out the clearance of landmines, relevant officials have urged residents who returned to their homes to go only after informing the officials and to return to their homes only after there is no mine risk.
“Villagers have not returned to their homes. However, they returned to their village to take their belongings, along with security forces. They secretly reentered the village through the forest. The KNLA has cleared more than 10 mines here. It’s safest to wait until officials have cleared the mines before returning,” said an official of the emergency rescue team.
On April 16, the KNU announced that it’s not just engaged in mine clearance but also mine risk education.
According to a December 2023 report by the Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor, more than 1,300 people have been affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war since the military coup in Myanmar.
Sent by KIC
