The number of victims killed by landmines and explosive remnants of war known as explosive ordinances (EO) in Arakan State, has been on the increase.
Since the fighting ceased on February 15th this year, 30 people were killed and 70 wounded by landmines and unexploded bombs. When military chiefs order a ceasefire, sadly landmines and unexploded bombs half-buried in the ground carry on their deadly work.
As of June 6th, the total number of those killed has reached 49 and those wounded 79, according to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).
On June 4, four locals were killed in the explosion of a bomb in Ponnagyun Township. In late February, the Tatmadaw carried out mine clearances on both sides of Yangon-Sittwe Road and in some villages.
The Tatmadaw is required to effectively carry out mine clearance at the villages and forests where the fighting took place.
“It is important that authorities effectively carry out mine clearance and disseminate knowledge about mine risk, and educate people to develop mine awareness. Only then can we reduce the number of mine accidents. If not we will suffer more mine explosions,” said U Zaw Zaw Tun, Secretary of the REC.
