Man Having Both Legs Amputated After Stepping on a Landmine While Clearing His Farm

A local man clearing a farm in Nam Kyan Village, Mae Hong Village Tract, Lashio Township, Shan State, was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine and having both legs amputated.

At around 10:30 a.m. on February 2, 38-year-old U Aik Aye was clearing his vegetable and chicken farm when the landmine struck.

The victim’s cousin said, “We grow vegetables and raise chickens on our farm. We are afraid that the chickens will disappear, and He used to come back home late every night. There were many people, as there would be a firewood burning festival that night. He slept on the farm as he was afraid that the chickens would be stolen. When we got up in the morning to clear the farm, it happened.”

U Aik Aye stayed on the farm on the night of the 1st, worried that the chickens in the yard would disappear, and stayed overnight. In the morning, he was talking to his wife on the phone and cleaning the yard when the mine exploded.

U Aik Aye lost both his legs below the knee due to the mine explosion and is currently receiving treatment at Lashio General Hospital.

According to local residents, the area where the mine explosion occurred is an area where the Kokang Army (MNDAA) used to operate.