Military restricts rice transportation in Ann Twsp village-tract

By DMG 20 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
20 January 2022, Ann

The Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) has allowed residents of Dar Let Chaung village-tract in Arakan State’s Ann Township to carry only a limited amount of rice from January 3, according to locals. 

Unknown as yet is the specific reason for the military restricting locals’ ability to transport rice in Dar Let Chaung village-tract, which is under the shared jurisdiction of the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA), according to residents. 

“The Myanmar military allows locals to carry only two baskets of rice at one time,” said one resident. “I think the Myanmar military is worried that if the locals are allowed to carry a lot of rice, they will take it to another place. This restriction on rice transportation is not convenient for the grassroots.” 

Dar Let Chaung residents, who are primarily engaged in farming, face difficulties accessing education, transportation and healthcare, particularly in the most remote reaches of the village-tract. 

Dar Let Chaung village-tract consists of 38 villages. About 30% of the population is ethnic Arakanese and 70% is Chin. 

Each person is allowed to transport two baskets of rice for their family after seeking a recommendation letter from their respective village administrator, said Ko Myo Lwin, a resident of Ann town. 

“If the locals transport rice by waterway, they are allowed to carry two baskets of rice from Kanhtaunggyi [in neighbouring Myebon Township]. Locals also need a letter of recommendation from the Dar Let village-tract administrator to get permission to transport rice. Locals transporting rice were examined at a security checkpoint near the Kazukaing Bridge,” he explained. 

According to locals, military and police personnel interrogate locals at the two security checkpoints near Kazukaing village and Alekyun village, and near Kazukaing Bridge. 

U Nyi Pu, a local resident, said Dar Let Chaung village-tract residents have to buy rice from other townships every year due lack of self-sufficiency on the paddy-growing front. 

“They are not planting paddy because of the danger of landmines,” he said. 

Ko Soe Win, a philanthropist from an Ann Township-based charity, said the restrictions on transporting food and travel more generally have negatively impacted the morale of locals. 

“No such report has been submitted to our office. We will know the situation only after the locals report it,” said U Shwe Aye, deputy administrator of Ann Township. 

DMG contacted Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment on the military’s rice transport restrictions, but he could not be reached.