Prolonged junta travel restrictions take continuing toll on Arakan State residents

By DMG 17 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 November 2022, Maungdaw

The prices of rice, fuel and basic foodstuffs have shot up in Arakan State’s Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships as regime travel restrictions have continued for months.

A sack of Paw Hsan Hmwe rice has almost doubled from K80,000 in October to K150,0000 now. A sack of Eaemahta rice has increased from K50,000 to over K80,000, according to locals.

“Rice prices have surged. One can imagine how it is affecting local people. And because of travel restrictions, it is difficult to buy rice from other villages in case a village runs out of rice,” said Maungdaw resident U Khin Maung.

The price of cooking oil has increased from K5,000 per viss to K7,000 per viss now. The price of gasoline has jumped from K4,000 per litre to K5,000 now.

“Rice and other basic foodstuffs are vital items. It is important that the prices of rice, cooking oil and onion do not increase. Even government employees like us are struggling, and one can imagine how daily wage earners are getting on. Things will be extremely difficult for us,” said an education staff member from Buthidaung Township.

Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships are facing food shortages as the regime has denied local access to both roads and waterways. With few new goods coming into the region, the prices of existing stocks have skyrocketed.

“Everyone is having a hard time, and this is particularly true for daily wage earners. And they work to survive. Things will be better and food prices will go down if travel restrictions are lifted,” said another Maungdaw resident.

Since August, the regime has blockaded roads and waterways linking Maungdaw and Buthidaung with Sittwe. The Arakan National Party has asked the regime’s Arakan State Administration Council to lift those restrictions, but there has not yet been any response, according to the party.

“Prices have increased because all the routes were blockaded. The situation might not have been this bad if we have access to either roads or waterways,” said a Buthidaung resident.