India reopens Mizoram-Paletwa route but ban on fuel, medicines and fertiliser remains

By Admin 23 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
23 July 2024, Sittwe

India has reopened the trade route used to supply goods from India to Arakan State through neighbouring Chin State's Paletwa Township, after a blockade that lasted nearly one month, but bans on the transport of fuel, pharmaceuticals and fertiliser remain in effect.

India reopened the Mizoram-Paletwa route on July 19, but only food supplies are currently allowed to be transported, according to merchants.

"The route was reopened on July 19 evening. We can only carry foodstuffs, but not fuel, medicines and fertiliser," said a trader from Arakan State who is now in Mizoram.

The Central Young Lai Association based (CYLA) in Mizoram ordered a halt to trade with Myanmar through the Mizoram-Paletwa route on June 24.

The overland route is used to supply northern Arakan State through Paletwa Township, which borders Lawngtlai District in India's Mizoram state. It has been increasingly relied upon since the Arakkha Army (AA) seized Paletwa Township in January. The regime blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State following the resumption of hostilities between Myanmar's military regime and the AA in November.

As bans on vital commodities remain in place, so too remain concerns about the agriculture industry and public health in Arakan State, said a business owner in the state.

"Though India has resumed the trade, it still bans export of pharmaceuticals, fuel and fertiliser. All three items are vital items, so India should not impose a total ban, but should at least allow export with a quota," he said.

The Lawngtlai District Court on July 16 issued an official ban on the export of fuel from the district to Myanmar, warning legal action against those in violation. The ban will reportedly be in effect until September 16.