"This Short Update describes events occurring in T’Nay Hsah Township, Hpa-an District during the period between January to June, 2023. In January 2023, villagers’ cows stepped on landmines three times in Htee Wah Blaw village tract, T’Nay Hsah Township. These landmines are suspected to have been planted by the State Administration Council (SAC). After the incident, the SAC instructed villagers from B--- village and P-- village not to release their cows. If the cows were to step on landmines again, the cows’ owners would have to pay a penalty. In another incident that took place on June 13th 2023, at around 2:00 pm, a 41-year-old man from N---village, Yaw Ku village tract, T’Nay Hsah Township, stepped on a landmine as he was going to a deserted Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) army camp in the forest to collect some wild plants. He sustained an injury to his right foot and was sent to T--- hospital, Pee T’Hka village tract, Ta Kreh Township, Hpa-an District, for medical treatment.[1] On February 8th 2023, Saw[2] M---, a 53-year-old village head from B--- village, Htee Wah Blaw village tract[3], T’Nay Hsah Township, Hpa-an District explained how villagers’ cows had stepped on landmines three times in his area, killing some and injuring others. The first time, in January 2023 [unknown date], one of the cows owned by a villager named A--- stepped on a landmine at A’Leh Bo Deh camp [an State Administration Council (SAC)[4] camp] and broke a leg. The second time, in January 2023 [unknown date], one of the cows of a villager named K--- was killed by a landmine near Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)[5] #356 located in Thin Gan Nyi Nuang military camp, Myawaddy Township. The third time, on January 24th 2023, three cows owned by a villager named D--- were injured and two of his cows were killed by a tripwire mine explosion. This tripwire mine was set up by SAC LIB #357 beside Saw E---'s farm. During this time [March to June] it is common for villagers to release their cows [into fields]. The SAC had planted landmines near the villagers’ farms but did not inform the villagers about the landmines, and so the villagers released their cows unaware of the mine contamination. After the landmine explosions, the SAC soldiers asked to whom the cows belonged but no one answered because they knew the owner would be made to pay for the landmines [that exploded]. After these incidents, the SAC informed villagers from B--- village and P--- village that the cows’ owners would have to pay for landmines if their cows stepped on landmines again. The SAC soldiers also restricted some areas [in Htee Wah Blaw village tract] so that villagers could not let their cows pasture there. On June 13th 2023, at around 2:00 pm, Saw U---, a 41-year-old man from N--- village, Yaw Ku village tract, T’Nay Hsah Township, Hpa-an District, stepped on a landmine as he was going to the forest to collect some wild plants from a place near to a deserted Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)[6] army camp. His right foot was badly injured in the explosion. With his wounded foot, he travelled back alone from the jungle to a local villager's tent. He was initially taken to the O--- hospital, but they could not provide adequate medical care there. Therefore, he was transferred to T--- hospital, Pee T’Hka village tract, Ta Kreh Township, Hpa-an District, for medical treatment. He has now been discharged from the hospital however he is currently bedridden due to his injury. His inability to work threatens his family's livelihood. The victim was aware of the possibility of landmine contamination in the forest, but in order to support his family and earn some money he went to the forest to collect some wild plants for sale..."