State Administration Council (SAC) soldiers have imposed fresh travel restrictions in Mutupi, located in southern Chin State, following an attack by the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) on a regime column outside the town along the Hakha–Matupi road at the close of October.
An anonymous CDF officer mentioned that although the fight was brief, SAC “are afraid of them” and enforcing a travel ban in and around Mutupi. This action aims to prevent messengers from delivering information to the resistance fighters and avoid any news leaking from the town. The officer noted that such restrictions are commonly imposed for a full week whenever the CDF attacks the SAC.
These measures significantly disrupt daily life, making it challenging for average residents to access essential items like cooking oil, salt, fish paste, and other food and domestic products in the town.
Only three days after the fighting, prices have begun to escalate steadily, raising concerns among residents about potential food shortages if it continues.
“People from remote villages cannot buy basic food products like salt and fish paste in the town. A bag of low-quality ‘Pawsan’ rice now costs 100,000 kyat ($47) for a (32 kg) bag,” mentioned a Matupi resident.
With only MPT phone service available between 6 am and 6 pm in Matupi, families find it increasingly difficult to stay connected with their members residing outside the town.