By Kantarawaddy Times
Since the military coup in 2021, civilian casualties caused by landmines in Karenni State have reached approximately 100, according to records from the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State.
These figures represent only the accessible cases, said U Bayan the Deputy Secretary (2) of the IEC, speaking to Kantarawaddy Times.
“The reason we state this is that many cases are discovered later. In some villages, people relocate due to the ongoing conflict. As a result of this frequent movement, more cases of landmine incidents emerge. The number of injured and killed has been gradually increasing. Initially, the reported figure was around 60 casualties. However, after including the cases identified later, the total number of injuries rose to over 60 or 70, with fatalities ranging between 10 and 20. Therefore, we estimate that the total number of casualties is around 100,” U Bayan explained.
The majority of the injuries have been caused by anti-personnel landmines, he added. Due to the dangers posed by landmines, the IEC has urged civilians to exercise extreme caution when returning to areas previously occupied by the military.
“Landmines are incredibly dangerous and can cause severe harm to people. They can result in the loss of limbs, and in some cases, they can even be fatal,” said Bo Nay Toe, who works in demining operations.
Landmines are frequently encountered in areas where the military council troops have previously been stationed and in villages. Civilians face the risk of landmines when they return to their homes after the military retreats, and especially when they resume farming activities to support their livelihoods.
