Africa-Press – Angola. The commander of the National Police acting in Cunene, Deputy Commissioner Alberto Mutunga, highlighted, this Tuesday, in Ondjiva, the advantages of actions to raise awareness among citizens about the risk of mines and explosive devices.
Alberto Mutunga said that the awareness campaign of the National Demining Institute (INAD) aims to raise awareness and prevent the population from possible mine accidents.
“Encourage the brigades to reinforce awareness actions about the dangers of mines and other explosive devices, which have victimized many people, especially in the rural area”, he said.
The official was speaking on the sidelines of the Campaign for Awareness and Exposure of mines and unexploded ordnance, as part of the 4th of April, the International Day of Alert to Landmines and Assistance to Demining.
Alberto Mutunga said that the community should be informed, as some people, due to lack of knowledge, when faced with explosive devices, try to knock to remove the mercury that does not exist.
The head of the INAD Department in Cunene, Francisco Sebastião, said that the majority of mine victims are children, hence this awareness raising and illustration to get an idea of the danger of objects.
He made it known that the situation of mines in the province is a concern, which requires a serious commitment to the demining of suspected areas, which will require greater collaboration from the population in denouncing the mills.
Francisco Sebastião recalled that 48 Soviet-made TM-57 anti-tank mines were removed from an agricultural field of about four hectares, in the town of Omundjoi, in Ondjiva, in January of this year.
Mine victims in Cunene
In the commune of Môngua, in February 2022, three people from the same family who worked in a mine died and two were injured, victims of an anti-tank mine.
In 2020, five other people died from the explosion of an anti-tank mine, when circulating on a track on their way home, aboard a three-wheel motorcycle.
During the year just ended, five thousand explosive devices were collected and destroyed in Cunene, including anti-personnel mines, 82mm mortar mines, 60 mortar, hand grenades and various ammunition
In Cunene there are 32 areas suspected of mines, in the municipalities of Cuanhama (11), Cahama (10), Cuvelai (six), Ombadja (four) and Curoca (one), which correspond to a total area of one million, 719 thousand and 355 square meters.
Currently, the province has three demining operators, specifically the Brigade of the Angolan Armed Forces, the Border Guard Police and the National Demining Center (CND).
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
