Basic commodities were running low after major roads connecting the town of Banmauk in Sagaing Region had been cut off, residents of the town reported.
Residents said that the Tonsi Bridge on the Indaw-Banmauk Road east of the town had been sabotaged with mines and the asphalt road near Kywekawgyi village had been disrupted with excavators.
“We heard the sound of excavators last night (5 July). Only in the morning we found out that the section of the road between Paykone and Naryaw villages had been cut off. They also cut off the section of road between Naryaw and Nyaungkaing with excavators,” said a monk from Banmauk on 6 July.
Similarly, a section of road near Nawnglong village in northern Banmauk and another section just past Myithaychin village were also cut off with excavators, according to residents of the town.
A Banmauk resident said the town was facing shortages of basic goods due to the closure of all major roads.
“Word has spread that they will stop the flow of goods to Banmauk and then build a market and even establish a new town near Narmaw, which is under their control. Banmauk is also running low on basic goods now. The stores are only selling what is left,” he said.
Locals also said that the Myanmar’s army had taken Banmauk under its control, while the main roads were controlled by the People’s Defence Forces (PDF).
Most locals said the roads had been cut off by the PDF, but their claims could not be independently verified.
Sent by Shanni Voice.