A Local Resident Killed on the Spot, and a Novice and Four Other Locals Injured after the Explosion of a War Remnant at Kyaukme 

A local resident was killed and four others, including a novice, were injured due to the explosion of a heavy weaponry shell at Pansan village, Kyushaw village tract in Kyaukme township. 

8-year-old Mai Zaw Min Ko was killed on the spot due to the explosion of a heavy weaponry shell when he was playing with an unexploded ordnance on the way back at 5 pm on April 24, after tea leaf picking with his mother. 11-year-old novice Mai Zaw Min Htwe suffered serious injuries to both of his legs, while 4-year-old Mai Kaung Khant, Lwe Mya Han, and Mae Maung Khin were also injured.

“They went to a tea plantation together with their parents. He found the ordnance just before they went back home and picked up to play. They said he stepped on the ordnance. I didn’t ask for details as I was in a hurry to send them to Kyaukme. I was asking the social assistance group in Kyaukme for help to send them to the hospital. One was killed on the spot. The novice suffered serious injuries to both of his legs, and he needs steel rods implanted. They are also facing financial difficulties,” said a local monk, Mai Nyi Kham, who helped them.  

A young novice who was seriously injured was transported to Kutkai hospital for treatment. The novice was seriously injured to both of his legs and will require steel rods, but they are struggling with financial hardship for medical treatment, the monk said. 

From 2021 to early 2022, the areas including Kyushaw village tract, Hukwat tract and New/Old Chong village tracts were the sites of fighting between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). These areas still contain a large amount of weapon remnants and have not yet been cleared of landmines.