Nov 5, 2009 (DVB), Three grenades were launched by a school headmaster into a crowd of around 80 people in western Burma on Sunday, leaving one person in need of amputation, locals said.

The incident followed complaints from villagers in Arakan state's Sarpyin village that headmaster Myint Lwin, from nearby Zani village, had been insulting village elders.

Around 80 locals gathered outside his house in Zani to voice their disapproval. According to a Zani villager, Myint Lwin had earlier in the day been "yelling and cursing at elders" in Sarpyin.

"Myint Lwin threw hand grenades at them, which left 15 people injured , 11 seriously and three worst," said a Zani local. "I heard Kyi Naing from Taungup hospital has been transferred to Rangoon and his two legs might be cut off."

The incident happened on Burmese full-moon day, known as Tanzaungmone, one of the country's most widely celebrated festivals.

Local police were informed about the incident, the villager said, but initially no action was taken. Myint Lwin is now however reportedly in custody.

"We went to police station to file the explosion case and ask for their help but they said they had to inform to their senior and we were not allowed in," he said. "The door was shut."

According to locals, Myint Lwin's involvement in illegal logging has caused friction with villagers, although it is not clear what exactly triggered his behaviour on Sunday.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw