CYLA members destroy fuel, goods of Arakan merchants stuck in India

By Admin 09 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 July 2024, Sittwe

Members of the Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) destroyed fuel and some commodities of Arakan State merchants who have been stranded at Lawngtlai in India’s Mizoram state for two weeks after the CYLA blockaded the trade route linking Mizoram with Chin State’s Paletwa Township.

Some CYLA members on June 27 disposed of more than 50 barrels of fuel purchased by Arakan State merchants from Indian suppliers.

One Arakan State merchant stranded in Mizoram said: “CYLA members destroyed 50 barrels of fuel bought by Arakan merchants on June 27 in Thitpokeche Village in Lawngtlai. They incinerated around 10 barrels and they dumped 40 other barrels into a creek.”

The financial loss totaled 100 million kyats (US$30,800), according to merchants.

Hundreds of traders from Arakan State found themselves stranded on the road with goods in tow after the CYLA blockaded the route used to import goods from Lawngtlai to Arakan State through Paletwa Township as of June 24.

The CYLA told traders to leave their goods and return to Myanmar, but traders insisted that they would stay unless they were allowed to leave along with their goods.

Another merchant said CYLA members have told merchants to pay 3,500 Indian rupee (US$42) per head if they wanted to stay, or be forced out of Mizoram.

“The CYLA has been repatriating merchants trapped in Lawngtlai,” said the merchant. “They said merchants would have to pay Indian rupee 3,500 if they wanted to stay. I heard they have received money from eight merchants. Such extortion can undermine relations between India and Arakan State in the future. The Indian government should handle it carefully.”

DMG was unable to reach the CYLA for comment.

There have been reports that the Arakkha Army (AA) is holding talks with the Indian government regarding the ongoing blockade of the trade route.

The CYLA imposed the blockade after it alleged that supplies imported through Paletwa were directed to the AA, which is fighting ethnic Chin armed groups in Chin State.

The CYLA is a civil society organisation officially registered with the Indian government.

In an interview with The Irrawaddy news agency on Friday, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha said the CYLA’s involvement could further complicate Myanmar’s internal affairs.

Another merchant said: “Even the Arakanese villages at the border can’t trade now. They can’t even bring in a box of snacks. The CYLA has imposed strict restrictions.”

Parts of Chin and Arakan states are suffering from severe shortages of medicines and foods, and price hikes as a result of the CYLA blockade.