By Kantarawaddy Times
In Loikaw, under the control of the military council, landmine explosions continue to occur frequently in neighborhoods where fighting previously took place, causing injuries to returning civilians, according to local sources.
Residents report that landmine incidents have been happening in areas such as Min Su, Daw U Khu, Naung Yar, Nar Nan Htaw, the government office compound, and the residential zone for civil servants—areas where the military council has allowed people to return to inspect their homes.
“The landmines are exploding almost daily, and civilians are the ones most affected—many are being injured. Due to security concerns, we are unable to share these incidents on social media. The explosions are impacting the surrounding areas as well, and we are doing our best to provide assistance to those in need” said a local resident.
The victims of these explosions are mostly individuals engaged in daily livelihood activities such as collecting mushrooms, foraging for fruits and vegetables, or returning to inspect their damaged homes. Some are also checking on the homes of relatives who have not yet returned. In a few instances, individuals involved in theft have also fallen victim while attempting to enter abandoned properties.
The incidents have reportedly increased after the military council permitted civilians to inspect their homes in areas previously affected by battles.
According to local residents, even though residents paid military-affiliated engineer units (GE) to clear mines from their properties, the clearance may have been incomplete.
Currently, locals say they are avoiding revisiting high-risk neighborhoods such as Daw U Khu, Nar Nan Htaw, and Naung Yar, due to the rising number of mine-related injuries.
“They can’t even clear the mines they planted themselves. Even homes that paid for mine clearance have experienced explosions. It’s safer not to return to those neighborhoods just yet,” said another local resident.
According to an anonymous staff, the military council has been documenting the names of civilians injured by landmine incidents. The council has granted return permission to several areas, including Shwe Taung, Naung Yar, Mine Lone, Min Su, the market area, and Shan Paing.
Local sources confirmed that at least five civilians were injured by landmines in June alone.
