Eight civilians have been injured by landmines in northern Shan State this month, the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO) has reported.
TWO spokesperson Lway Chi Sangar said that this includes six people in Kyaukme Township, one person in Namhsan, and one more in Namtu.
Three of the Kyaukme victims were from Ahpyaung village, two from Pan Lawt, and one from Tawng Paloe. The explosion in Namhsan occurred in Pan Neim village. At the time of reporting, NMG was unable to obtain the village name where the landmine went off in Namtu.
The explosions occurred on January 3, 6, 19, 21, and 23.
“Three [of the] people were working on their rotating farm in the mountains. They were injured by a landmine explosion when they went to their rotating farm with their motorbike,” Lway Chi Sangar told NMG.
In Ahpyaung village in Kyaukme, Mai Kyaw Shwin, 27, Mai Kyaw Lin, 28, and Mai Min Naing, 30, were all injured when a landmine went off as they searched for firewood in the nearby jungle.
One of the three individuals was in critical condition and transferred to a larger public hospital in another region on January 23—the other two received treatment at a local hospital, according to TWO.
“All of their injuries are in critical. One victim has had his left leg broken. Another victim got injuries to his stomach and his intestines came out… Another victim got injuries to his legs,” Lway Chi Sangar told NMG. “The two victims, who got injuries to their legs, received medical treatment at Kyaukme hospital, and the victim was transferred into Mandalay hospital.”
It is unknown which armed group planted the landmines in question. Locals have demanded that both the Burma Army and ethnic armed organizations not plant landmines near civilian villages and farms.
TWO also demanded that respective armed organizations cover medical needs of and provide necessary assistance to landmine victims.
The Burma Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Kachin Independence Organization, Restoration Council of Shan State, and various military-backed People’s Militia Forces are active Kyaukme, Namhsan, and Namtu townships in northern Shan State.
