Junta bans deliveries of fuel to Tanintharyi town

By Admin 28 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 February 2023, Pulaw, Tanintharyi Region

Myanmar’s military regime has imposed a ban, as of Sunday, on deliveries of fuel from Pulaw Township in Tanintharyi Region to Pala and Palauk towns, according to locals.

Pala is facing a fuel shortage as a result, said fuel suppliers.

“Fuel tankers are not allowed to enter the town now,” a fuel station owner in Pala told DMG. “Gasoline is mostly used in this town. We are now selling remaining stocks, and we will have to close when we run out of the remaining stocks.”

Fuel prices have also increased in Palauk, with Ron 92 hitting K3,500 per litre; Ron 95 at K4,500 per litre; diesel at K3,800 per litre; and premium diesel at K5,000 per litre.

Petrol stations are thus selling by quota, while some have already closed, said a Paluak resident. “Fuel prices have soared, and filling stations are imposing quotas. Town residents will suffer impacts if they can’t buy fuel anymore,” he said.

In Pulaw town, residents are only allowed to carry fuel within the town, and cannot bring it in or out of the town.

“Security checkpoints outside the town check for if fuel is being smuggled into or out of the town. They confiscate if they find fuel,” said a Pulaw resident.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Pulaw Township administrator U Khin Maung Soe about the ban on deliveries of fuel. Since December, the regime has imposed a separate ban on deliveries of rice to Pulaw, where the regime has imposed martial law.

It is believed that the ban is intended to prevent the delivery of fuel to local resistance forces. People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) control at least four village-tracts in Pulaw Township, and often engage in clashes with junta troops.