Narinjara News, 24 February 2022

The concerned authority has prohibited transportation of rice, fuel, cement and iron by the government shipsplying over Kaladan river from Kyauktawin Rakhine State to Paletwa in Chin State,  said locals.

A  Paletwa resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the ban indirectly increasedprices of various commodities in Paletwa,which may deteriorate in the days to come.

Rice  and fuel items are strictly prohibited fortransportation. It would have beengood, if the goods (rice and fuel) were allowed for transportation between Kyauktaw and Paletwa by the ferry-ships.

The residentalso added that because of the ban commodity prices are going high in Paletwa.

Currently the Chin State is witnessing a heavy gunfightingbetween the security forces andthe members belonging to People's Defence Force.

So the transportation across the State becomes difficult at this moment.

As the Kyauktaw -Paletwa waterway is the only viable trafficfor the residents, it should havebeen spared by the authorities.

Presently, a litre of petrol in Paletwa is priced at Kyat 2,500, a bag of  Pawsan Mwe brand rice ispriced at Kyat  50,000 and the price of a cement bag may go up Kyat 20,000. The prices of commodities inPaletwa become three-time higherthan those at Kyauktaw.

Rakhine State road transport minister Thet Lwin informed thatthe rice transportation would be permitted only with thepermission of Rakhine Statesecurity and border affairs minister.

"The permission has to be granted from the properministry. One has to explain whytransportation is necessary. Otherwise it will not be permitted,” said the road transportminister.

At present, one of the government vessels, which sails from Kyauktaw to Paletwa, is under repair and theother one is running on Monday only.

The fighting between the Arakan Army members and the military personnel during 2018 to 2020 affectedthe land and waterway movements.The local people are still suffering while moving from one place to another. The waterway wasopened on 24 December 2021 and it ismaintained by the inland water cooperation department under the government.