Local residents have been forced to depend solely on basic food items and personal goods imported from Banmauk Township, as both the roads and waterways in Homalin Township, in upper Sagaing Region, have been blocked by junta forces and revolutionary groups for over a year, according to local traders.
Traders from Homalin said they have to buy fuel and dried food products essential for Homalin Township, through Banmauk Township.
A trader said: “We have to import the goods via Banmauk. The prices of diesel and gasoline are rising. We transport dried food products, diesel, and gasoline from Shwe Taw and Nawngpat in Banmauk, as well as from Chaung Gyi-Chaung Wa in Bokone village in Homalin Township.
The goods imported from Banmauk Township are redistributed to the villages of Homalin, Naung Po Aung, Nam Taw and Shwe Hmaw, through Bokone village, he said.
Due to this situation, goods needed for Homalin are being transported by the water route using the Banmauk-Homalin township-to-township road built by the Shanni Literature and Culture Committee, as well as through the Chaunggyi River.
A local from Homalin said, “Homalin produces gold, and all goods are priced similarly. We even have to transport betel leaves by air. Prices for everything have skyrocketed, with commodities now costing at least 5,000 to 10,000 kyats.”
Currently, goods for Homalin Township are being transported from Banmauk Township, as well as via air from Mandalay to Homalin. However, the transportation costs are nearly ten times higher than usual, making it difficult to transport all the necessary goods.
Previously, goods for Homalin Township were transported from Monywa via the Chindwin River. However, by the end of 2022, revolutionary forces blocked this waterway.
The Kawlin-Pinlebu-Phaungpyin-Homalin road section remains entirely impassable due to ongoing clashes between junta forces and the Local Defense Forces.
Sent by Shanni Voice
