Land mines prevent villagers from working in farms

Written by Aung Moe Myint
07 August 2007.

Local villagers are fining it extremely difficult to work in the farms because of land mines planted around Nan Mahuu village, Loi Lin Lay ward and Loi Kaw Township, said a local.

Since July 27, Loi Lin Lay village based LIB 530 (Light Infantry Battalion) put touch-mines, step-mines and relinquish-mines around water springs two miles north-west of Nam Mahuu village, said a local. Relinquish-mines are dangerous.

"Villagers are afraid of going to the farms because they have planted land mines around farms. After arriving in the farms we have to release the buffaloes and cows. Buffalo and cows are known to step on land mines and have been killed. About 15 buffaloes and cows were killed," a villager said.

"Farmers requested the battalion to remove the land mines set up by LIB 530 but it turned a deaf ear," he said.

When ethnic armed groups travel they cook near the water springs. So the Burma Army planted land mines near the springs, local added.

In Kayah state, four men from Shar Daw Township and one woman from De Maw Soo Township were killed by land mines between March and May, 2007.