Indian youth group bans transport of fuel and basic food to Rakhine region

During the resurgent battle in Rakhine State that began in November 2023, after the Arakan Army (AA) captured and controlled Paletwa Township in Chin State and nine townships in Rakhine State, all communications with Myanmar have been cut off for about seven months now.

Therefore, for the problem of fuel and basic consumer goods needed in the region, India Mizoram State They had to transport it from Langthalai District to Paletwa Township along the Kelantan River and solve it. However, since the influential Central Lai Youth Group (CYLA) in Mizoram state has banned transportation since last month, Paletwa Township and the northern region of Rakhine State are facing a severe shortage of fuel and basic food items, residents said.

"The Central Lai youth group has been continuously confiscating and destroying fuel and products."

India The Central Lai youth group, which is made up of the Lai Chin ethnic groups living in Mizoram state, has banned the transportation of goods from their area since last June 24 due to allegations that the AA (AA) is using them as food to attack the Chin armed groups.

An Rakhine trader in Mizoram told RFA that fuel and goods are being confiscated and destroyed by the Central Lai youth group.

"Among the goods are food products. Fuel oil. There is fragile, Many perishable products have been destroyed. Another thing is diesel, Gasoline. CYLA's destruction of that fuel also cost the traders quite a lot. They burned it. Breaking open the cans and pouring them out is pretty brutal. Until now, I haven't heard anything to open the way."

On July 5th, the Central Lai youth group confiscated about sixty paper boxes of Rakhine traders' used motor oil from Tapuche village in Langthalai district and destroyed more than ten paper boxes.

Ko Khaing Moe, a resident of Minpya Township, told RFA that due to these bans, Rakhine State is currently facing a shortage of goods, and the locals are having a lot of trouble.

"The closure of the Indian road has made it very difficult to get food products in Rakhine. Commodity prices have also increased exponentially. That road needs to be opened. It will only be convenient if that road is opened. Since the road is closed, trucks cannot come, and the people here are having a hard time."

Similarly, rock North, Residents said that other townships in Brahmin Island and northern Rakhine State are also facing food and fuel shortages. As it is the first rainy season, it will be difficult to cultivate the fields if only fuel is not available.

U Fe Than, a veteran Rakhine politician and former member of the People's Assembly, pointed out that the Central Lai Youth Group should not put pressure on the Arakan Army (AA) and put the Rakhine people in trouble.

"As a Lai youth group, ULA/AA wants to exert political pressure. I want to say that if you want to coerce the people of Rakhine to starve, this is a cut-and-dry process. This is something that should not be done in terms of humanity.”

In Chin State, the AA is not fighting against the Chin people, it is fighting against the Military Council Army in cooperation with the Chin To War Alliance to eradicate the military dictatorship. He also said that they are only helping militarily.