Casualties by explosive war remnants increase in Northern Arakan State

By Thet Naing 10 May 2019

Thet Naing/ DMG

May 10 / Sittwe

Civilian deaths in northern Arakan State have surged day by day due to explosions of landmines and artillery shells that were left unexploded during clashes near villages.

Currently, 15 people have died or were injured by explosive war remnants and landmines in Arakan state according to the figures of the Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC).    

Children and men make up most of the casualties and 30 percent were women, said Ko Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of the REC.

U Than Myint in his 30s, who lived in Htanmaritz ward in Mrauk-U Township, died of a landmine explosion on May 4 on the way to gather firewood on Mt.Tat Taung about one mile from his home.

Since he did not arrive home from gathering firewood, his family searched for him and they found his body covered with wounds from an explosive ordinance.

People, some organizations and state parliament have called on the government to demarcate Mrauk-U Township, where many historical pagodas and temples are located, as a demilitarized zone.

The detonation of landmines and active shells have occurred frequently in Rathedaung Township, one of the significant battle areas.

An unexploded shell was left over after a skirmish between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) near Yay Kaung Chaung village in Rathedaung Township. It was detonated when a child hit it with a brick on January 14, the child was killed.

Another explosion occurred in Rathedaung Township’s Khayu Chaung village on April 28, a 14-year-old child was killed and two other children (12 and 4 years old) were severely injured. They are now receiving medical treatment in Sittwe hospital.