Two women injured by landmine while harvesting sugarcane in Nawngkhio Township

Two women were reported to have sustained serious injuries after stepping on a landmine while harvesting sugarcane in Zay Kone Village, Taung Shay Village Tract, Nawngkhio Township, northern Shan State.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 PM on February 2 in a sugarcane field located about 30 minutes away from the village.

The husband of Ma Phyu Phyu Lwin, one of the victims, told the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO), “She stepped on a landmine while cutting sugarcane. She has been in the hospital for 15 days now, and she has not been discharged yet.”

In the explosion, Ma Phyu Phyu Lwin, 38, suffered a severe injury to her right leg below the knee, and shrapnel was embedded in her left leg. Ma Si Aye, 46, was also critically injured, sustaining hits to her eye, forehead, and left hand.

Ma Si Aye’s son added, “We do not know which armed group planted the mine. We had fled to Mandalay when the fighting broke out and only returned to Nawngkhio about six months ago.”

Both Ma Phyu Phyu Lwin and Ma Si Aye are currently receiving treatment at Pyin Oo Lwin Hospital. They are facing significant financial difficulties in covering their medical expenses.