Thandaunggyi residents report that the Karen National Union (KNU) has closed the main road connecting Thandaunggyi and Taungoo Township in Brigade-2 of KNU-controlled Taungoo District, causing shortages of essential goods in some areas and raising fears among locals that the blockade may persist for an extended period.
The KNU’s Brigade 2 closed the road on 1 May, citing the safety of local residents traveling through the area. However, no date has been set for the reopening.
Since the road closure, Thandaunggyi town has experienced shortages of fuel and some consumer goods, while rice prices have also risen in Leiktho town.
A local woman from Thandaunggyi, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns that the road closure could persist for an extended period.
“As the people got the news about the road closure two days in advance, they went to Taungoo to buy rice. However, since such news has been heard frequently, most didn’t stock up much, thinking the situation would return to normal soon. If the road stays closed for a month or two, it will be really difficult. Even now, some rice shops are running low, certain food items are already out of stock, and fuel is no longer being sold. Just the other day, people had to pay up to 15,000 kyats per liter for the limited fuel available,” the local woman said.
In addition to concerns about food supplies, most locals say they are hesitant to travel on the closed Taungoo–Thandaung road, as they depend on Taungoo town for emergency medical treatment.
Another local woman from Taungoo said, “Rice and oil have run out over there. Some people come down from the mountains to work here, and now they’re stuck on both sides. In some cases, mothers and children are separated. It’s still possible to travel from Taungoo up to 6th Mile, but after the recent artillery shelling, people don’t even dare to go as far as 4th Mile anymore.”
According to local sources, residents are now too afraid to travel beyond 4th Mile after a middle-aged woman living along the Taungoo–Thandaung road was killed on 4 May when an artillery shell, recently fired by junta force, exploded nearby.
Furthermore, during the four years since the military coup, local residents—who rely heavily on rice from Taungoo and transportation along the Taungoo–Thataung–Leiktho highway—have been facing significant socio-economic hardships, due to excessive taxation at military checkpoints and restrictions on the transport of rice and gasoline, which have also affected cargo trucks operating along the route.
Furthermore, in the four years since the military coup, local residents—who rely heavily on rice from Taungoo and transportation along the Taungoo–Thandaung–Leiktho highway—have faced significant socio-economic hardships.
These challenges stem from excessive taxation at military checkpoints and restrictions on transporting rice and gasoline, which have also disrupted cargo truck operations along the route.
Sent by KIC
