Two civilians suffered severe injuries resulting in leg amputations after stepping on landmines in Mrauk-U and Maungdaw Townships of Rakhine State. On March 19 at approximately 3 PM, a woman was injured by a landmine while foraging for vegetables near the foot of Kyein Mountain in Mrauk-U. The victim, identified as Daw San Win May, age 42, from Thyapyi Nyo Ward in Mrauk-U, lost her left leg below the knee in the incident.
According to a local resident of Mrauk-U, Daw San Win May regularly went out to gather vegetables, but on that day, she had deviated from her usual route and ventured into a different area where she encountered the landmine. Additionally, in Maungdaw Township, Abdul Haleik, a 44-year-old resident of Latha Ward, stepped on 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.
Recent weeks have seen frequent landmine incidents in Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships within Rakhine State, resulting in civilian casualties and severe injuries. The military council had previously planted landmines in various locations, including mountainous areas where they had stationed troops, buildings within towns, schools, and monasteries. Local residents have reported these areas as being particularly dangerous due to the presence of these unexploded ordnance.
Despite efforts by the Arakan Army (AA) to conduct mine risk education sessions and issue safety warnings regarding unexploded military ordnance, the number of casualties has continued to rise compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the need for the Arakan Army to increase their efforts in mine clearance operations and mine risk education programs. The situation highlights the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in Rakhine State due to the presence of landmines left behind by the military council, which continues to pose a serious threat to the local population’s safety and well-being.
