Mrauk-U runs out of fuel

By Admin 21 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 November 2023, Sittwe

Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township effectively ran out of fuel on Tuesday due to junta-imposed travel restrictions, according to residents.

Filling stations have closed, and petroleum, diesel, premium diesel and Octane can be bought nowhere in the town, said residents.

“We went around the town, but could find no fuel to buy. Mrauk-U has run out of fuel. We won’t be able to use vehicles in the next few days,” said Mrauk-U resident Ko Nay Lin. 

Fuel shortages are the product of regime blockades of roads and waterways following the renewed fighting in Arakan State on November 13. 

“They have blockaded roads to make people suffer over time,” said a filling station owner in Mrauk-U.

Local charities in Mrauk-U Township providing ambulance services said they would soon be forced to halt their operations. 

“We will continue to help people so long as we have fuel in our cars,” said a member of Garuna Hline Blood Donor Association in Mrauk-U town. 

Fuel is also running out in other townships in Arakan State, forcing filling stations to sell by quota. In Thandwe Township, residents need letters from their concerned ward administrators to buy fuel. 

“We have never heard of that before. But then, I could only buy 4,000 kyats worth of fuel. There is no fighting in our area. They [the regime] do this deliberately to give us troubles,” said a Thandwe resident. 

Food, medicines and fuel are in short supply in many parts of Arakan State due to the junta’s travel restrictions.