Arakan State residents hope to benefit as India reopens trade route with Paletwa

By Admin 12 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 June 2024, Paletwa

India has reopened a trade route critical for Arakan State to import goods from India’s Mizoram via Paletwa Township in Myanmar’s Chin State, the Mizoram-based civil society organisation Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) reported.

India closed the border trade route on May 25 for an indefinite period in response to hostilities along the two countries’ shared border.

The trade route was reopened two weeks after officials from the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakkha Army (AA), held talks with the CYLA.

“As stability has been restored to a certain degree along the border trade route, and discussions with the ULA officials went well, the cargo trucks will be allowed to cross the border as of 6 p.m. on June 12,” said a CYLA statement.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State since the AA launched an offensive in November, leading to shortages of food, pharmaceuticals and other vital goods.

In the months that followed, residents in Arakan State had come to rely on Indian commodities imported through Paletwa, though the supply was far below demand. When India closed the border trade route in May, already-high prices skyrocketed and food shortages became more acute in Arakan State.

“The fact that trade can be resumed with India will contribute a lot to food security in Arakan State,” said a merchant from Kyauktaw Township.

The regime has applied a “four cuts” strategy since the fighting broke out in Arakan State, taking a heavy toll on socioeconomic life for local people.