The military council’s checkpoint in Mongkaing Township has banned trucks carrying rice, fuel, and other food supplies destined for northern Shan State, according to reports.
Since 15 November, the checkpoint near Loi Maw village, north of the Mwe Taw Pagoda in Mongkaing, has been preventing cargo trucks carrying rice, fuel, and food supplies from passing through to the Nam Lan and Mongyai areas in northern Shan State.
“They started blocking trucks at the checkpoint on 15 November. They’re not letting through any rice, fuel, or food supplies heading north. They still allow passenger vehicles but they undergo very strict inspections. You can’t even go to Nam Lan anymore,” said a local man in his 40s from Mongkaing.
Military checkpoints at Pang Kay Tu and Ton Law villages between Mongkaing and Nam Lan have also increased their inspections and restricted goods transportation, according to locals.
“About 15 trucks from Taunggyi line up at the Mongkaing entrance checkpoint during the day. They say only cattle transport trucks are allowed through after 10pm. The restrictions are especially strict for those heading to Nam Lan and Kyethi, particularly at Pang Kay Tu and Ton Law checkpoints,” the same resident added.
Following the restrictions imposed on 15 November, prices of consumer goods and fuel in the town have increased, with petrol prices rising to between 5,000 and 6,000 kyats per liter.
Similarly, the military council has indefinitely closed Lawksawk-Kyauk road, which connects Lawksawk in southern Shan State to northern Shan State, since 12 November.
Drivers say that these closures of major routes through Lawksawk and Mongkaing, which connect major cities in southern and northern Shan State, will cause more difficulties for travelers and local residents.
Moreover, locals report that the military council checkpoint at Ho Ya village in Mongyai Township has closed the road to Lashio, which is currently under the control of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
Political activists say that while the military council continues to launch airstrikes on major cities in northern Shan State that they have lost to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, they are also cutting off food supplies to local populations through these road closures.
Sent by Shan News.
