Many civilians were killed or maimed when they accidentally detonated landmines in areas of northern and southern Chin State where the regime is fighting with resistance forces.
U Chan Kee Yang was killed after stepping on a landmine while searching for wild grass for his goats between a government housing and a technical school outside Hakha town on 24 May.
His family, who had reportedly heard the explosion, set out early the next morning to collect his body after the military refused to let them go when the accident occurred. Unfortunately, the entire search party, which included four family members and a woman, were injured after detonating another landmine.
“His nephew, who was ahead of the group, stepped on the hidden landmine and his leg was blown off. Another suffered injuries to his face and knees…All five people were seriously wounded and are being treated in the hospital,” Chan Kee Yang’s friend told Khonumthung News.
Chan Kee Yang’s body was finally collected at 5pm that day and later received a Christian burial.
On the same day as the family’s accident, eight-year-old Ma Tuem Amang stepped on a landmine next to Lay Myo River in Matupi Township, southern Chin State.
The little girl was on her way back to her hometown of Matupi with her parents U Zaw Min and Daw Pan Pan. Her father was fetching water near the river to fill the radiator of his car engine when the tragic accident happened.
Ma Tuem Amang lost her right leg and suffered injuries to her hand and face. She’s being treated at the hospital in town.