CNI News

4 April 2024

Because the Arakan Army (AA) stated on 2nd April tha Ann-Padan road linking Ann township of Rakhine State to Padan village in Ngape township, Magway region in central Myanmar had been indefinitely closed, the people in Ann Town might find it difficult to get enough rice, said locals.

Although Ann locals bought rice from Mrauk U and Kyauktaw in the past, they could not buy rice from these towns anymore because of battles. 

So, they were importing rice from Minbu Town through the Ann-Padan road. At present, if the road has been closed, Ann locals might find it difficult to get rice, U Maung Thein, a rice trader in Ann Township, told CNI News.

While the AA has seized control of Mrauk U

" As usual, we had to be carrying the rice from the Minbu side. Rice is not available from Rakhine State as well. Now the road going to the Minbu Township has been closed, I heard. If we can't really go there, there will be no rice for the people in Ann to eat." he said.

Even though the State Administration Council has closed all the roads and waterways entering Rakhine State starting from 13th November 2023, Ann Township were allowed to carry rice through departments concerned once or twice a week. However, the AA has indefinitely closed the road entering Ann, it has been difficult for Ann locals.

As there are many grassroots in Ann Township, rice sellers and administrators were implementing a limited rice supply system to prevent a shortage of rice, an anonymous administrator told CNI News.

While carrying bags of rice

" There are more workers who live from hand to mouth here in our town. They can't buy rice for one or two months in advance. When they return from work, they tend to buy one pyi of rice (one pyi=4.375 lb). Now, administrators and rice sellers have arranged to sell rice to a household one or two pyis each day." he said.

Rice is not grown in Ann Township and cashew and upland crops only are grown in the township reportedly. Therefore, if the road between Ann and Padan was closed, there would be a high demand for rice and it could be worse in the rainy season due to difficult transportation, said locals.

Moreover, locals are worried that there will be battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA in Ann Township.