Regime restricts rice supply to Ann Twsp village-tract

By DMG 09 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
9 May 2022, Ann

The Arakan State military council has imposed restrictions on the supply of rice to Dar Lat Chaung village-tract in Ann Township since May 6, according to local residents. 

There are more than 50 villages in Dar Lat Chaung village-tract, and rice is mainly bought from neighbouring Minbya Township, from which it is transported by both road and water routes. 

“The regime has banned the supply of rice both by road and water. It said we will be allowed to bring in rice only once a week. We don’t know how long the restriction will last,” said a resident of Dar Lat Chaung village. 

Local villagers said they still do not know why the regime has imposed the restrictions on rice supplies. Rice prices rose significantly following the imposition of the restrictions. 

“We will run into difficulties if the restrictions are imposed for too long,” said a Dar Lat Chaung resident who asked for anonymity due to security concerns. 

When asked by DMG, Arakan State military council spokesman U Hla Thein said: “I don’t know about it. It is done by the military, and you have to ask the military.” 

DMG’s phone calls to the Arakan State security and border affairs minister, Colonel Kyaw Thura, went unanswered on Monday. 

During the fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army from late 2018 to November 2020, the military also imposed restrictions on rice supplies to Dar Lat Chaung village-tract, causing rice shortages that similarly led to duress for local residents.