Narinjara News, 3 July 2022

The road connecting Ponna Kyun with Rathedaung remains closed since 16 June making it difficult for the localsto travel.

Due to the road closure, the people start avoiding the vehicles and using the dangerous waterway fromRathedaung to Sittwe even in the rainydays.

The road was closed by the military council after the Arakan Army (AA) arrested a soldier in Ponna Kyun on 16June.

A resident of Rathedaung, who wanted anonymity, said that soon after the soldier was captured by the AAmembers, it was believed that the juntaforces would target the AA. But they closed the busy road without considering the publicconvenience.

A bus driver from Ponna Kyun said that there  are many such kinds of problems. It becomes difficult tosurvive as the road is closed now. Meanwhile,the price of essential commodities in Rathedaung locality is soaring due to the use of waterways.Now one liter of octane fuel
costs around kyats 3,200, revealed the locals.

Myat Tun, director of the Rakhine Human Rights DefendersGroup, said that while everygovernment in the world has been working for public welfare, the junta is doing the opposite and simplyoppressing  the common peoplein various ways.