The Burmese army, which has restricted the food supplies to Rakhine State, recently  arrestedover  20 vegetable vendors from various villages under Kyauk Phyu township. The vegetable sellers mostlyhail
from Own Taw and Gong Chaing villages.

On Monday, the vendors were arrested when they were crossing  Taung Shay Toung mountain west to governmenttechnical college on their way tothe market.

A  Gong Chaing resident informed that the villagers, including women, were picked up as they went to sellvegetables.

Since 13 November, when the resurgence of fighting started in Rakhine State, all roads and waterways to KyaukPhyu town was closed by the militarycouncil.

A local resident informed that there  is no place to grow vegetables in  Kyauk Phyu town areas.

“There is no rice and also vegetables. All food items needto be carries from rural areas.The villagers bring vegetable to the downtownmarkets for selling. Now they are in  troubles as the Kyauk
Phyu  authority has blocked all roads,” he added.

Locals  said that the urban population is dependent  on vegetables from Malakyun and othervillages.

The arrested vendors were taken away by a military vehicle. It’s not known where they have been put and thefamily members remain clueless aboutthem.

In Rakhine State, the military council continues arresting civilians, and since 13 November  over 100civilians have been detained.