The military council troops stationed in the southern town of Matupi in Chin State has reportedly imposed an indefinite travel ban on residents since 29 October.
The travel ban came after the Chinland Defence Force – Matupi launched a pre-emptive attack on Myanmar army reinforcements positioned on the Matupi Hakha road, the CDF-Matupi G-1 said.
“After a brief clash, they have now blocked all entrances and exits of the town. It seems they don’t feel safe as many people are coming in and out of the town. We get information from the town when people come out. So they must have done it out of insecurity. They don’t want us to know what the situation is in the town,” said the person in charge of CDF-Matupi.
According to reports, it has become more difficult for rural residents near Matupi to buy basic food items such as cooking oil, salt, fish paste and other consumer goods in the town due to the ban.
Although the military council has so far blocked entry and exit to the town for three days, the prices of goods in Matupi have increased. This has prompted residents to worry about a possible food shortage if the ban lasts longer, a Matupi resident said.
“Prices have shot up after the ban. It is now very difficult for people from rural areas to come to the town and buy basic food items. Even the lowest quality Paw Shan rice now costs between 90,000 and 100,000,” said the resident.
According to the CDF-Matupi, the military council bans residents from entering and leaving the town for about a week after every armed clash with the CDF-Matupi.
Since the residents of Matupi town only have access to the MPT mobile network from 6am to 6pm, it has become more difficult for those who live far away from their families to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Sent by KMG.