“We are going to do landmine awareness programs first. Then, the chief minister has selected Kyone Htaw Waterfall and Myaing Gyi Ngu as the priority areas for mine clearance operations,” U Zaw Min, deputy director of Kayin State’s Social Welfare Department, told KIC News. “The mine clearance operation won’t be carried out with the state budget. International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) will give mine awareness education and then carry out the mine clearance operation.”

Kayin State is one of the most heavily land mined areas of Myanmar, and has also seen one of the highest numbers of recorded victims. All seven townships are suspected hazardous areas, according to the Geneva-based Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor.

In January, two people were injured in a landmine blast that occurred along the road to the Kyone Htaw Waterfall, a popular tourist attraction.

Around 5,000 people are continuing to take shelter in Myaing Gyi Ngu following clashes in the Mae Tha Wor area that broke out in August 2016. Many of the families have cited fear of landmines as a key reason for not wanting to return home.

“The people who went back to their villages have stepped on the mines. Nobody dares to go back home. I want to request the authorities to quickly clear the mines,” said Saw Tun, one of the leaders of the Myaing Gyi Ngu shelter.

The nationwide ceasefire agreement includes provisions for the Tatmadaw and the ethnic armed organizations to undertake demining activities “in accordance with the progress of the peace process”.

In September 2016, Deputy Minister of Defense Major General Myint New told parliament that the Tatmadaw had started mine clearance operations in several locations in Kayin State.

The Kayin State Social Welfare Department said it has been carrying out mine awareness projects since early 2015 with the support of UNICEF.
 
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron