Junta seizes trucks transporting goods to Arakan State, evenarrests high-rank officers for taking bribe

 

Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 30 October 2024

 

Myanmar military junta is not only seizing the trucks,boats & motorboats for transporting goods from the mainland to Arakan Statebut  also detaining many high-ranking junta officers who accepted bribesfor allowing the vehicles to move with goods.

 

A female resident of Wakema town reported that severaltrucks carrying goods through the Ayeyarwady region were detained at Kyunkone village under Einme township.

 

“Recently, seven vehicles destined to the Arakanregion were seized in Einme, which is connected to Wakema near Arakan borders.The increasing military inspections have restricted the supplies to ArakanState. The junta’s bureau of special investigation (BSI) is also engaged withthe inspection,” she added.

 

Many  trucks, loaded with food supplies fromYangon, were seized in recent days before they could be shipped to Arakan Statevia the Ayeyarwady region.

 

Some Telegram channels, which  suppor  the junta, reported that seven trucks transporting food supplies to theArakan Army (AA) were seized in Einme on 21 October.

 

During the first week of October, the junta alsoarrested some high-ranking military officers who accepted bribes and permittedsome vehicles with food supplies to proceed towards  the Arakan region.

Thosearrested included colonel Myo Nyunt Oo of the southwestern command, chief ofthe staff colonel Aung San Lwin, lieutenant colonel Kyaw Swar Tun, major SoeYan Naing and two battalion commanders.

 

Military sources indicated that these officers are accusedof  accepting millions of Kyats as bribes allowing goods including fuel,food, and medicines to be transported to Arakan State through the Ye Nan Tharcheckpoint at the intersection of Pathein-Monywa road and Gwa-Ngathainggyaungroad in Ngathainggyaung town under  Yegyi township in the Ayeyarwadyregion.

 

Reports suggest that the junta is sealing off theproperties of those arrested military officers including houses, lands, KTVestablishments and bank accounts.

 

In July, the junta seized a boat carrying foodsupplies worth Kyats six billion intended for exporting to Arakan State fromChaung Thar beach in the Ayeyarwady region.

 

“The junta is working to turn Arakan State into acrisis zone, particularly by creating a famine and discouraging the people ofArakan from engaging  in the battles,” said an Arakanese politician.

 

He stated that restricting trade-routes to inflictsuffering for common people constitutes a war crime against humanity.

 

Since 13 November 2023, the permission to transport goodsby land & waterways to Arakan State has been strictly prohibited. It leadsto a shortage of food and medicine supplies in Arakan State leaving the entirepopulation under the dire condition of hardships.