The movement of goods has come to a standstill and staple foods are running out after the military council blocked the waterway between Talu village in Tanai Township, Kachin State, and Takar village in Nanyun Township, Sagaing Region, according to residents of Talu village.
The residents said that the military council closed the main transportation route between the two border villages on November 8 because they are allegedly so close to each other.
Due to the blockade of this important transportation route, the flow of goods has come to a stop and staple foods are running out, according to a resident of Talu village.
“Fighting has broken out here. After the fighting, they blocked the waterway. On this side, the junta troops stationed in Talu are blocking the way; on the other side, it is the junta troops stationed at the Khalone jetty. Right now, no boats can come, so we can’t buy rice, cooking oil and salt,” he said.
The waterway has been blocked for more than ten days and boats carrying goods to the villages of Talu and Takar have been unable to deliver basics such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, cooking oil, rice and fuel for over a week. Even travelers cannot pass, say the locals.
“Green foods like onions and garlic have long run out. Some stores that have stockpiled rice and cooking oil are still selling, but we can’t buy sacks. They are now selling 15,000 to 20,000 kyat per Pyi of rice,” said another local from Talu village.
Most of the residents of Talu village are gold miners and merchants. According to reports, the blockade of the waterway has brought mining to a standstill and is affecting casual laborers and small business owners.
On 5 November, military tensions erupted between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar Army troops stationed in Talu village, which escalated into fighting on 7 November. The army suffered heavy casualties in the fighting, which led to the blockade of the waterway.
According to locals, the blockade of the waterway by the military council, which has now been in place for almost 20 days, has caused enormous difficulties.
Sen by KNG.