Junta bars delivery of foodstuffs and medicines to Kayah State capital Loikaw

By Admin 08 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
8 May 2023, Loikaw, Kayah State

Locals in Loikaw are facing difficulties as the junta has imposed bans on deliveries of basic foodstuffs and medicines to the Kayah (Karenni) State capital.

There is a shortage of commodities as security checkpoints set up by the military’s Regional Command Headquarters have prohibited some trucks carrying basic foodstuff such as rice, cooking oil, iodised salt and medicine from transporting their cargo into Loikaw since May 5, local residents said.

“The military’s checkpoints have banned transportation of rice, cooking oil and medicine into Loikaw since May 5. I think the military’s ban on the importation of goods into Loikaw is related to the Pinlaung fighting,” said a resident of Loikaw.

“Fierce fighting between the military and a coalition led by the Karenni Nationalities [Defence Force] has been ongoing in Pinlaung Township in southern Shan State, which shares a border with Kayah State. The military and anti-regime forces closed the Pinlaung-Pehon-Olikaw road to traffic due to the possibility of fresh fighting,” the resident added.

“The prices of commodities are skyrocketing and there is a shortage of goods in Loikaw. Local people will face various hardships if the ban remains in place,” said another Loikaw resident.

The price of a sack of Paw Hsan Mwe rice currently sells for K150,000, and the price for a bottle of cooking oil ranges from K8,000 to K15,000, according to grocery store owners.

Meanwhile, one capsule of Paracetamol is selling for K3,000 and one capsule of Air-X is K5,000 in Loikaw.

“Commodity prices are going up as the junta prevents delivery of goods such as rice, cooking oil and medicine. It will not be convenient for us in the long run,” said a grocery store owner in Loikaw.

DMG attempted to contact Kayah State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Myint Wai to seek comment on the junta’s ban on transportation of commodities into Loikaw, but he could not be reached.