The Tatmadaw began landmine clearance operations on February 15 along the Ann-Sittwe road and around Angumaw and Khamaung Seik villages in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, according to the Arakan State Administration Council.

“We mainly do demining along the Pyidaungsu [Union] road. We will come and clear landmines in Sittwe and Ann townships. We will do it from morning to evening. If villages ask for help, we will come and do demining,” said Colonel Min Than, a member of the Arakan State Administration Council, the local governing body established by Myanmar’s military regime.

Landmine clearance will initially take place near settlements, so villagers are advised to avoid venturing into forested areas far from their villages, he added.

“We cannot go and demine in the forests because the other organisation [Arakan Army] laid landmines there. We will tell them to demine during our negotiations,” Colonel Min Than said.

He said the Tatmadaw will accept the help of civil society organisations and relevant village heads if they want to work with the military to clear landmines.

U Kyaw Hlaing, the head of Angumaw village, said: “A military column arrived at the village. The Tatmadaw phoned me and said we do not need to be worried about the military column, and told me to provide help for them if they ask for help.”

“I believe villagers can travel around villages in safety as the Tatmadaw clears the landmines,” he said.

According to government data, 19 people died and 39 were injured in 53 explosions from landmines and explosive war remnants in 2019. The number increased to 61 explosions last year, in which 45 people died and 89 were injured.