Prices of essential commodities continue to rise in Paletwa due to junta’s restriction

Even though the situation in western Myanmar has returned to normalcy with no clash-gun fights for months, the military council continues to restrict travel rights of locals including the transport goods in Paletwa township of Chin State.

Palatwa residents informed that the prices of essential commodities in their township are constantly rising which has made the livelihood of local people difficult.

“The price of a bag of Posanmwe rice brand rises to Kyats135,000, while the price of a bag of ordinary coarse rice is going up to Kyats 85,000. As for the green chilies, a piece (250 grams) is sold for Kyats,” said a Paletwa resident.

Because of the rainy season, the Paletwa residents depend on the supply of goods from Kyauk Taw of Rakhine State through the waterway of Kaladan, but the military council has restricted the movement of vessels by Kaladan river.

In the beginning days of 2023, a bag of ordinary rice was sold with Kyats 80,000 and a liter of palm/cooking oil with Kyats 1,500.

"Now one liter of cooking oil costs  more than Kyats 8,000. Gasolinecosts 14,000 per liter. Lately the price of essential commodities areincreasing in Kyauk Taw too. So it has severely impacted on the price rise in Paletwa as the army checkpoints continue to collect tolls from the vehicles,” he added.

The Paletwa residents revealed that they needed to obtain the permission from the military council to use local boats to carry Kyauk Taw goods by the water way. They are loading the boats following the restriction of junta authorities.

Currently, the military council run ferry ships are plying from Kyauk Taw to Paletwa through Kaladan (Kelantan) river only two days (Tuesday and Saturday) a week.

"If the people travel, they need a letter of recommendation from the army authority. Goods are not allowed to be carried with. Moreover, it’s limited to some volumes. For the goods, the travelers have to pay money at the military checkpoints depending on the quantity. Regardless of their identities as Rakhine,  Chin or Khumi, everyone is Myanmarese by the nationality. They should not suffer for any reason,” said a local resident.

He also added that the military council has completely banned the transportation of medicines and various iron items.

After the clashes between the junta forces and the Arakan Army in Paletwa township during 2019, the military council strictly prohibited the movement of local residents along with the transportation of goods. It’s still going on. With more to it, the internet connections have been restricted in the locality.

Photo: The photos were taken last year just before the ferry ship left for Paletwa from Kyauk Taw.