YANGON----The Military[Tatmadaw] already completed landmine clearance activities in Kyauksakhan village, Momauk Township, Kachin State, aiming for returning displaced villagers, says Khar Le from Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (KHCC).

Due to the fighting between Military and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in 2011, the locals from Dhabatyan village, Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, had abandoned from their properties. That’s why, the Military Engineering Team from Northern Command Headquarter cleared the landmines in a village since the beginning of November 12th aiming for displaced villagers who can return to their homes.

Likewise, the military carried out landmine clearance in a Kyauksakhan village, Momauk Township, on November 13th.

“Landmines clearances already have been completed in Kyauksakhan village. But, military is now clearing the landmines in Dhabatyan village, Waingmaw Township. It is just enough for over 20 households. The landmine clearance activities was led by the Northern Command Headquarter,” said Khar Le from KHCC.

Spokesperson Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun from Tatmadaw True News Information Team also said that many villagers fled to safer places due to renew fighting between military and KIA in 2011. The military together with International Committee of the Red Cross-ICRC cleared the landmines for returning Kachin displaced villagers.

However, the ICRC didn’t involve in the military’s landmine clearance tasks in Waingmaw and Momauk Townships.

Khar Le from KHCC also said that the ICRC asked him how they participated in the military’s landmine clearance.

He added that the landmine clearance sites were under government’s control area. That’s why the Kachin Independence Organization/KIA didn’t involve in the landmine clearance tasks. The landmine clearance tasks in Dhabatyan village may be taken about 25 days.

The villagers fled Nan San Yan village in Waingmaw Township, due to the fighting between Tatmadaw and KIA started in 2011.

According to the villagers’ demand, the military had helped in clearing their farms of mines so they can grow crops.