Border News Agency
Kyauktaw, May 20.
India has temporarily suspended cross-border trade with Arakan (Rakhine) through the India-Arakan border starting from May 16.
The temporary suspension of this bilateral trade was officially announced by the Land Revenue Department of the Lai Autonomous District Council in Mizoram State, India.
As a result, starting from May 16, the transportation of goods through Lawngtlai District via the Paletwa trade route has been restricted until further notice.
The cross-border trade between Arakan and India has been conducted through the Paletwa region, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), from Lawngtlai District in Mizoram State, India.
Through this Arakan-India border trade route, essential goods such as food supplies, consumer products, and medicines have been traded and distributed for sale in areas controlled by the Arakan Army.
Since the day the Arakan Army launched its all-out offensive, the Myanmar junta has blocked all land and water routes in the Arakan region and imposed a complete ban on the flow of goods.
As a result, cross-border trade through the Arakan border areas has been carried out under mutual understanding between the two countries.
However, the Central Young Lai Association (CYLA), based in Lawngtlai District of Mizoram State, has repeatedly protested and attempted to block the Arakan-India border trade.
In the final phase of the Arakan war, the Arakan Army has launched a full-scale offensive and taken control of the entire Arakan-India border region, including the Paletwa area and 15 townships in total.
In these townships, administrative mechanisms are being implemented under the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, and cross-border trade activities are also being carried out.
