Rice and other essential goods have been unable to be delivered to Paletwa for weeks after the junta again blocked vital land and river transport to the town in southern Chin State due to renewed fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Burma Army (BA).
“The cost of rice has gone up drastically in Paletwa and there’s no one selling it in the market. Costs of everything has risen, including cooking oil, meat, fish and fuel,” said a woman.
Another woman from Paletwa said that a bag of rice, which used to cost $29, now costs $43.
Since the army stopped transporting food to the town on 1 August, people have been spending their money on things they can afford, such as home-grown vegetables and bamboo shoots.
On Tuesday, AA and BA engaged in fighting in Paletwa Township with the junta’s Infantry Battalion 289, which is based in the town, firing artillery.
According to locals, armed forces have been going door to door to check people’s family registration lists.