Mizoram: IED blast kills woman farmer in Lawngtlai district
AIZAWL, JAN 21: A 30-year-old woman was killed in landmine blast caused by IED in southern Mizoram's Lawngtlai district near Mizoram-Myanmar border on Friday, Assam Rifles sources said.
The victim has been identified as Khusoma w/o Nbauh Krauhha, a resident of New Basti hamlet in Lawngtlai district.
An official statement of Assam Rifles said that the victim, along with eight other tribal women, went to forest near border pillar No. 5 of the Indo-Myanmar border to collect vegetables on 19 January (Friday).
The victim accidentally stepped on the landmine which cause her severe injuries and latter succumbed to her wound, the statement added.
"As soon as the information reached Assam Rifles posted along the border, a team with doctor immediately rushed to the village for immediate medical treatment. However, it was found that the innocent woman had already succumbed to her injuries by the time the troops reached the spot," the statement said.
This is the second such incident of IED blast in southern Mizoram's Lawngtlai district in a week along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The first such incident was reported on 15 January when a 24-year-old man belonging to Bandukbanga hamlet in Lawngtlai district was severely injured in a landmine blast possibly planted by either Myanmar Army or insurgent group- Arakan Army (AA).
Apart from IED blasts, there were reports of stray bullets coming from Myanmar.
In November last year, a 20-year-old youth identified as Robichondro of Tuichawngtlang hamlet was injured when hit by a stray bullet from Myanmar. In a similar incident, a 67- year-old Monodo of Sabualtlang village in Lawngtlai district near Mizoram-Myanmar border was shot at by Myanmar army on being mistaken for militant. The victim was admitted to Lawngtlai district hospital and is undergoing medical treatment there.
The arm conflict between Myanmar Army and AA forced many families from Myanmar's Rakhine state to flee to Mizoram. Apprehending escalation of arm conflicts, over 1400 tribal refugees mostly Christian and Buddhist, who are lodging at makeshift camps in three villages in Lawngtlai district after fleeing clashes, are reluctant to their respective villages in Myanmar.
Meanwhile Mizoram government has decided to group the refugees in two villages for easy administration and better relief aids.
The Assam Rifles authorities have informed the state administration about the situation in south Mizoram. The Assam Rifles troops are carrying out investigation in the area and have cautioned the villagers not to venture close to the border.
TNT News
Image:Representational
