Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 4 August 2024

A consignment of medicines and electrical equipmentworth millions of Kyats, which was transported by a private ship from Yangon toSittwe, was seized by the junta’s navy personnel at the mouth of Kaladan riverin Sittwe, the capital of Arakan (Rakhine) state. 

The junta termed the goods as illegal even though the carriers have necessarypermission for trading in Myanmar and those were transported with properauthorization and payments to the port authorities.

A reliable source informed Narinjara News that theseizure, despite the official permissions, caused significant losses for theconcerned owners (amounting to millions of Kyats).

"The goods were seized last week. The navy personnel sent those to theport. Even the sailors are being detained," added the source.

The seized items include a variety of medicines, which were meant to addressshortages in Sittwe. Other items include electrical appliances, solar panels,batteries, etc.

Because of the intensified fighting in Arakan State,the military junta imposed strict restrictions on the land and waterways.However, some private ships and those transporting goods between Yangon andSittwe were allowed to operate.

The goods on these ships were taxed by the port authorities in Yangon andSittwe and those were  inspected thoroughly by the junta forces. Moreover,after collecting the fees, they were allowed to move.

In July, the junta’s illegal trade eradication steering committee seized a hugevolume of food, medicine, consumer items and billions of Kyats in cash. Thosewere transported from Ayeyarwady region to the Arakan region. Those seizuresoccurred at sea near Chaung Thar and Nga Pu Daw townships under the Ayeyarwadyregion.

The boats and their occupants still remain detained in those townships. Theresidents criticized the junta for seizing legally used goods calling it ahighly objectionable act.

Narinjara News tried to  contact Arakan State attorney general U HlaThein, who is also the government spokesperson, but failed to receive anyresponse.

Photograph caption: A ship transporting goods fromYangon has been docked at Sittwe port. (Photo by  Thi Kyar Sae Chin NgweThazin)