Indian court's ban on fuel exports impacts Arakan State

By Admin 18 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 July 2024, Sittwe

The Lawngtlai District Court in India's Mizoram state issued a ban on the export of fuel from the district to neighbouring countries including Myanmar.

The ban will be in effect until September 16. The court order also warns of legal action against filling stations that fail to follow the government's order to ration fuel.

A trader from Arakan State currently trapped in Mizoram said: "We can't transport fuel now, not only from Lawngtlai but also from Siaha town. So, Arakan State may run out of fuel."

Merchants are, however, trying to import food and pharmaceuticals to Myanmar from Lawngtlai, he said.

The Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) based in Lawngtlai seized more than 40 barrels of fuel from Arakan State merchants stranded in Lawngtlai on Sunday and Monday, said another merchant.

"Fuel barrels were grabbed in villages in Lawngtlai District. Merchants had to spend a large sum of money to buy fuel. Their financial loss is huge," he said.

Some 200 traders from Arakan State remain stranded in Lawngtlai after the CYLA ordered a halt to trade with Myanmar on June 24.

The CYLA also destroyed 50 barrels of fuel owned by Arakan State merchants in Thitpokeche Village, Lawngtlai District, on June 25.

The overland route linking Mizoram with Arakan State via Chin State's Paletwaship has been increasingly relied upon since the Arakkha Army (AA) seized Paletwa Township in January. The regime blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State following the resumption of hostilities between Myanmar's military regime and the AA in November.