The Paletwa community, including Christian and Buddhist leaders, has urged the Burma Army (BA) to reopen a vital water route so that basic necessities can be delivered to the township in southern Chin State, which has been closed for two months amid fighting between the junta and the Arakan Army (AA) resumed in the area.
A Christian pastor from Paletwa said they were running out of rice, cooking oil, salt and gasoline. The leader, who asked that his name not be used, said they’d requested for the army to reopen the river between Chin and Rakhine states.
“Three days ago, we sent the letter to both the BA and AA but we haven’t received a reply.”
After the BA closed the Kyauktaw – Paletwa waterway, following intensified clashes with AA in southern Chin State, the cost of essential food items and petro have increased in the town.
This is forcing people to use illegal jungle routes to bring things to Paletwa where they could be shot by one of the armed groups or maimed or killed by concealed landmines.
In Paletwa, petro costs $3.30 a litre and one egg is selling for 24 cents.
The town uses fuel powered generators to provide electricity for the town but after prices have dramatically increased there’s been a blackout for two weeks.