Burma lays landmines in Burma- Bangla border

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Written by Webmaster
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Teknaf, Bangladesh: Burma has laid landmines on the Burma-Bangladesh border following tension between the two neighboring countries over gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, according to a source close to Burma's border security force, Nasaka.





Nasaka laid mines on Burma–Bangladesh borders from pillar No. 37 to 41, which is located at Wayla Daung since November 7, 2008, bringing porters from rural areas.



Burma's ruling junta has not agreed to the Mine Ban Treaty. Burma abstained from voting on the pro-Mine Ban Treaty in the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74 in November 2002. SPDC delegates have not attended any of the annual meetings of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty or the Inter-sessional Standing Committee meetings. Burma was one of the two ASEAN countries that did not participate in the seminar. Burma has been producing at least three types of antipersonnel mines: MM1, MM2, and Claymore-type mines.



Burma is not known to have imported or exported any antipersonnel mines. Burma has obtained and used antipersonnel mines manufactured in China, Israel, Italy, Russian, United States, and unidentified manufacturers, according to sources.



In 2002, mines were laid along much of the Bangladesh-Burma border which remain embedded in the ground and continue to claim victims despite continued diplomatic protests by Bangladesh. Later all the mines in Burma- Bangladesh border were removed by the SPDC authorities following complaints from the Bangladesh side.



Burma also reinforced its troops in the border areas and at least deployed 50 to 100 soldiers at all Nasaka camps which had only 35 soldiers earlier. There are about 300-400 army personnel in Aungzu camp and about 2,000 soldiers were deployed in border areas since November 7. The Nasaka also made trenches in every camp, according to an aide of Nasaka.



According to sources, the Nasaka will continue laying mine in border areas up to pillar No. 58, which is located in Busi Par (Busi Mountain).