Eight died and 21 injured in 18 mine blasts in Kachin State in 2019

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A total of 18 mine blasts occurred in Kachin State in 2019 killing eight and injuring 21, according to figures from the state government.

Most of them are men and seven men and one woman were killed in the accident. 16 others men and 5 women were injured.

Col. Nay Lin Tun, State Minister for Security and Border Affairs said most of the accidents were happened in remote areas where security is failed and they are made by Kachin ethnic armed group.

He said, “We sent the protest letter to KIO/KIA about 90 times in 2019 in related with the mine explosions, extortion money and recruitment.”

Col. Naw Bu, Spokesperson of the KIO said, “The KIA used landmines to protect themselves from the army. They don’t use them in other places. Most of the landmines can be recovered. Some of the landmines may leave in places where both side encountered. We warned the locals about the places where landmines are laid.”

A total of 21 people were killed and 86 were injured in 2018 due to the landmines and fighting, according to police records.

The numbers of deaths and injuries caused by landmines are 21 and 89 in 2017, 12 and 52 in 2016 and 11 and 62 in 2015 respectively.

A total of 452 mine blasts occurred from June 9, 2011 to December 31, 2017 killing 120 civilians and injuring 506 since the army and Kachin Independent Army (KIA) clashed, according to police records.

According the records, the accidents were occurred when the locals went to their farms and for hunting.

Some of the locals are disabled due to the landmines explosions and they are facing difficulties for their livings. They don’t have enough help from the respective government departments and civic societies and they need assistances mentally and economically.

The state government is carrying out education about landmines by cooperating with CSOs in the areas where mine attacks are occurred and international red cross are helping victims of landmines.

Kachin State and northern Shan State are the places with highest rates of risk affected by landmines.

 

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