Two civilians suffered severe injuries resulting in leg amputations due to landmine incidents in Mrauk-U and Maungdaw Townships of Rakhine State. On March 19 at approximately 3 PM, Daw San Win May, age 42, stepped on a landmine while foraging for vegetables near the foot of Kyein Mountain in Mrauk-U. The explosion resulted in the amputation of her left leg below the knee. Daw San Win May, a resident of Thapyay Nyo Ward, is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.
In a separate incident, Abdul Haleik, age 44, from Latha Ward in Maungdaw Township, encountered a landmine while fishing at Shwe Zar Creek on March 18 at around 1 PM. He also suffered an amputation of his left leg below the knee and is currently in critical condition receiving medical care. Recent weeks have seen a surge in landmine incidents across Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships in Rakhine State, resulting in civilian casualties and severe injuries.
Reports indicate that landmines were previously planted by the military council forces in various locations including mountainous areas, urban buildings, schools, and monasteries where they had been stationed. Despite the Arakan Army (AA) conducting mine risk education sessions and issuing safety warnings regarding unexploded ordnance, the number of casualties has continued to rise compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the need for the Arakan Army to intensify their demining operations, educational programs, and safety awareness campaigns to address this growing crisis.
