Following a study of Want Wam Village-Tract in Kyethe Township, Southern Shan State the Tai Youth Network (TYN) issued a statement saying that the government should clear landmines and unexploded mortar shells from the area.
Representatives from the TYN, the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) and parliamentary representatives for the area carried out a study on living conditions in the Want Wam area and donated essential materials to help local residents who have been affected by conflict.
After the study trip TYN issued a statement that said that if there was to be peace in the country government forces billeted in local residents’ houses should move out and landmines and unexploded ordnance should be cleared from farmland.
Sai Hlang a TYN leader said: “We bought food such as oil, rice and salt also bowls and books and pencils to help the children to rehabilitate their lives. According to information from Tha-Pha-Song Village in the Want Wam area local people are still frightened. Cattle have died after stepping on landmines that were set up during battle clashes. That is why we are calling for the landmines to be cleared.”
A villager, who did not want to give his name, said that Nan Khin, a villager from the west part of Tha-Pha-Song Village stepped on a landmine and was seriously injured.
SNLD members and about 200 youths from 33 townships in southern and northern Shan State made donations worth about 4 million kyats to residents affected by war in Want Wam Village-Tract on 15 January.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
