Trade route used to import goods from India to Arakan State blocked again

By Admin 25 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 June 2024, Sittwe

The Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) has blockaded the trade route used to import goods from Lawngtlai in India’s Mizoram to Arakan State through Chin State’s Paletwa Township as of Monday.

The CYLA is an influential nongovernmental organisation based in Mizoram.

The group said the supplies were meant to provide for the basic needs of the Arakanese people, but claimed that the Arakkha Army (AA) was using them to fight ethnic Chin armed groups.

“We have repeatedly warned the AA to stop fighting with ethnic Chin armed groups. But the AA did not reply. So, we have halted the trade until further notice,” said the CYLA.

There were also reports that the ban was imposed in response to a request from the Chin National Army/Chin National Front (CNA/CNF), which said to be unhappy with the AA for fighting alongside the Chin Brotherhood in Matupi, Chin State. DMG could not independently verify those reports.

The CNA/CNF and Chin Brotherhood are two major Chin resistance groups fighting the regime in Chin State, but they are politically divided. Both are engaged in hostilities with junta troops in Matupi, with the AA assisting the Chin Brotherhood.

Hundreds of cargo trucks from Arakan State are stranded on the route following the blockade, said an Arakanese merchant who is currently in Mizoram.

“Hundreds of cargo trucks are stranded and are not allowed to pass. Merchants will suffer,” he said.

The trade route running through Paletwa is used to import basic foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and fuel to Arakan State as the regime has cut off the state’s trade with other parts of the country including the commercial capital Yangon.

A social activist from Ponnagyun Town said: “The trade route was blockaded due to the military situation in Chin State. This will more or less harm the bilateral relations. Both sides must exercise restraint.”

There were also reports that AA officials and the CYLA were in negotiations to resume the trade, though DMG could not independently verify those reports.

The Mizoram-Paletwa-Arakan trade route was blocked for the first time on May 25, and was reopened on June 12 following negotiations between AA and CYLA leaders.

The trade route has been in use since the AA seized Paletwa Township in January.