Local residents in Balakhe of Karenni (Kayah) State are facing a shortage of rice as the junta has banned ration rice transport. So, some people have to eat boiled rice while others have to eat rice mixed with maize, according to local residents.
“We are really in trouble. In fact, we have to eat maize used as chicken feed. We are in big trouble,” a local man said.
The revolutionary forces have banned the ration transport routes from Loikaw for security reasons. The military council is also conducting inspections at the checkpoints. That’s why the people cannot carry rations, a local resident said.
At present, the people have to borrow rice from each other and eat boiled rice, a local woman said.
Currently, some people travel to Loikaw on foot to carry rations, according to local residents.
At present, the price of a bag of rice is Ks-150,000. The transportation cost per rice bag amounts to Ks-150,000. So, the total price of a bag of rice is Ks-300,000. The grass-root people cannot afford to buy rice, a loyal woman from Bawlakhe said.
The people can’t afford to buy rice as the price of rice is Ks-1,000 per cup,” she said.
Local residents have called on the military council to allow the transport of rice due to a shortage of rice in Bawlakhe.
A local man from Bawlakhe said: “I would like to request officials to allow the transport of rice. I can eat my meal even with salt.
Some people remain in downtown Bawlakhe. Local residents from some villages have fled to safer places due to the military council’s heavy shelling.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times