Residents of Kyaukphyu in Arakan State are facing hardships after the military council imposed a ban on rice imports, impacting their livelihoods, according to local sources.
A local woman from Kyaukpyu says that the fishermen living in the area are struggling to make ends meet, as they are no longer allowed to fish, which is their primary livelihood.
“Fishing has been banned for a long time now. It’s only allowed in areas designated by the military council. Our family depends on fishing and selling our catch at the market, but now, survival is difficult. I can’t even return to my hometown. I’m stuck paying rent with no job, and rice is in short supply. I’m doing everything I can to avoid starving — and I have children to care for,” he said.
Local residents reported that the military council has prohibited the purchase of rice from rural areas, with only those closely linked to the military council allowed to sell it.
According to a man with ties to the junta, while many residents in both the town and surrounding villages are struggling to meet their basic needs, families of junta officials and those involved in Chinese-backed projects are reportedly living comfortably, as they are still permitted to travel freely within and around the town.
“Those working on the Chinese-backed project are allowed to commute into the town, but they’re not permitted to go to the village. We must follow the military council’s rules. Right now, those within the military council’s circle are thriving, while local residents are on the verge of starvation,” he said.
In the outskirts of Kyaukpyu, clashes between the Arakha Army (AA) and the junta forces continue to occur frequently, with local residents reporting that the fighting has been intensifying day by day.
Locals from villages in the conflict area in Kyaukphyu have fled, with tens of thousands of people reported to have been displaced.
Locals claim that the military council has prevented residents of the town from fleeing.
They are facing violations of human rights. Kyaukphyu is one of the three remaining towns in Arakan State that the AA has yet to capture.
Sent by Narinjara