Good transportation needed for Rakhine’s development: Junta chief but army often block roads used by Rakhine people

Narinjara News, 2 January 2023

On the 48th anniversary of Rakhine State Day, the military council chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the people of Rakhine State, stating that special attention is being paid for the development of road & communication sectors in the State.

However on the ground, the military personnel continue blocking various roads creating troubles for the common people, while doing business activities. It has also affected the public health related works in the State.

"In our area, the military council has closed the road that connects Rathedaung with Ponna Kyunt town for almost six months now. As the road is blocked, the people from both the localities have been suffering. The military council officials are speaking differently in the newspaper, radio and television outlets, but doing differently on the ground. The people are only suffering,” said a local resident.

In the message, the military council chief announced that the authorities are trying their best for the development of Rakhine State. He also revealed that special emphasis has been given on promoting the transportation sector so that Rakhine people are not deprived of development benefits compared to other regions.

But in contrast, the situation in the State is not good as stated by the military council, where many roads here are closed for many months because of which the common people are facing difficulties.

Mentionable is that the Rathedaung- Ponna Kyunt road remains closed till 31 December since 16 June (after the Arakan Army (AA) members arrested a military council soldier).

The military council and the AA have agreed for an informal ceasefire over a month now, but the authorities are still blocking the motorable roads connected major localities.

Rathedaung- Ponna Kyunt road is very important economically as the passengers can take the passage to reach Sittwe, Yangon and Mandalay.

 A local motorist opined that as the situation is peaceful now, the roads should be reopened for the public. Some people have even left for neighboring countries for work. There is no point for restrictions on the said road, he added.

 As the important road is closed, the people are taking the waterways which take more time to reach the destinations and thus the price of commodities go up.