NarinjaraNews, 18 August 2022

Dueto the closure of waterway transportation on Kaladan river connecting Rakhineand Chin State, there has been a shortage of rice grains in Paletwa township inrecent days.

Themilitary council has blocked the river transportation for security reasons andit resulted in the crisis of rice supply.

 “The price of a bag of Porsan Mwe rice has increased uptoKyats 100,000. Morever it is not available everywhere in Paletwa locality,”said a local resident.

Theprice of Porsan Mwe brand rice increased by Kyats 70000 per sake (48 kg) lastweek and  now it costs Kyats 100000.

Headded that the price of low-quality rice is also increasing. Now the poorpeople are facing a severe crisis as they can not buy their necessary ricegrains.

"Manypoor families are sharing their food items. As the Paletwa localitydoes not produce the necessary volume of rice, it depends on the supply fromRakhine State,” he stated.

Inearlier days, the army was allowed to transport the rice grains from Kyauk Tawthrough the Kaladan river with a permit, but soon after the fighting withArakan Army members on 2 August, the military council closed the river waterway.

 Dueto this ban, not only the rice but other items like cooking oil, salt, chilly, pepper, onions,fuel (diesel/gasoline) become scarce. The fuel price has increased by Kyats7000 per gallon. Moreover, Kyats 2000 are increased for three eggs.  

 Localsapprehend that if the Burmese army personnel fail to defeat  AA members,they will close the waterways for good and it will make public life moretroublesome.