Regime still imposing travel restrictions on Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road

By Admin 31 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
31 March 2023, Ponnagyun

The Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road has been blockaded for nearly 10 months despite the latest ceasefire between the military and Arakan Army (AA) being reached on November 26 of last year, according to residents, who say the road remains closed to even local traffic.

The Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road is an important facilitator of socio-economic life for residents of more than 50 villages, in addition being critical to the flow of goods.

“Drivers like us have been unemployed for 10 months. Some have sold their vehicles to leave for foreign countries. We cannot support our children’s education conveniently as we have become unemployed,” said Ko Zaw Lay, a driver plying a route between Ponnagyun and Rathedaung.

The regime first banned travel on the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road in December 2018, but travel restrictions were lifted in November 2020 following a temporary cessation of hostilities between the military and AA.

The regime banned travel on the road again on June 16, 2022, after a junta soldier was detained by the Arakan Army in Ponnagyun. 

A social activist criticised the regime, saying it was blocking not only the road but also the economic growth and social development of local people.

“The people are bitter because of the ruler’s ruthless handling of the people. There is a lot of hatred between the people and the ruler. In order to reduce this, the rulers need to be sympathetic to the people and solve [problems for] them,” the social activist added.

Myanmar’s military regime has lifted travel restrictions on some Arakan State roads and waterways in the wake of an informal ceasefire with the AA, but not the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung route.

The Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road is an important supply route, so both armed forces are competing to control the area, said Ko Kyaw Min Khaing, a social activist from Rathedaung.

“If the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road is blocked, development works will be delayed, so I think that the military and AA are trying to control this road. It is possible that if the regime cannot control the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road, AA will control it,” he said.

Although it has been more than four months since the Myanmar military and Arakan Army observed an informal ceasefire on November 26, the regime also continues to impose strict checks on travelers and locals, as well as enforcing a curfew in some townships.