Around 80 unexploded heavy weapons and RPGs were recently found by villagers near a village in war-torn Yathaedaung Township in Arakan State.

“Villagers found 40 RPGs in a hole in the paddy field in Ngasanbaw village located about 10 miles north of Yathaedaung Township, and the rest in other places near the village. We are worrying that there are also some unexploded mines. Soldiers always use this road and have told the people not to touch them, as they may explode. A military camp, which is located about 1.5 miles north of Ngasanbaw village, has been stationed there for more than one year,” said U Aung Tun Win, the village administrator.

Since 2016 247 people have been killed by the landmines and unexploded remnants of wars. Authorities are required to urgently remove unexploded materials, said U Zaw Zaw Tun, Secretary of the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC).