Commercial trade has completely halted at the “Indian Market” in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, which was the primary distribution hub for goods imported from India’s Mizoram State into Arakan Army (AA) controlled territory, after 50 people were killed during two airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Sept. 28.
A shop owner at the market in Kyauktaw told DVB on the condition of anonymity that sales have been drastically cut by 70 per cent in the local markets after the devastating airstrikes. Kyauktaw, located 60 miles (96 km) north of the state capital Sittwe, was seized by the AA in February 2024.
Residents living in towns seized by the AA since it launched its most recent offensive, including 14 Arakan townships and Paletwa Township in Chin State, have relied on imported food, fuel and medicines from India after the military imposed a land and sea blockade in November 2023.
A Kyauktaw resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that cargo truck drivers, motorbike taxi drivers, and porters who carry goods to the market have all lost their main source of income.
“Only traders have cash in hand. If they stop trading, the cash flow stops, too,” a Kyauktaw resident who works as a mobile payment agent told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that residents are now charged an 8,000-MMK ($1.77 USD) fee to withdraw 100,000 MMK ($22.22 USD).
The price of one egg rose in AA-controlled territory from 500-700 MMK ($0.11-0.15 USD), and one viss (1.63 kg) of onions from 10,000-15,000 MMK ($2.22-3.33 USD), in the weeks after Sept. 28.
Formal banking operations are completely suspended across Arakan outside of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung townships, which are under regime control.
The AA continues to contest Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of Sittwe.
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