Rakhine traders set fire to checkpoint of local Mara youth group in Mizoram

AYEYARWADDY TIMES September 16 MYANMAR – A checkpoint belonging to the Mara Youth Organisation (MTO) in the Saiha district of Mizoram state, on the India-Myanmar border, was set on fire and destroyed by Rakhine traders, according to Myanmar refugees in Saiha. The incident occurred at the MTO checkpoint in Khaikhy village, Saiha district, around 12:00 PM on September 14, following an argument over the transportation of goods. "They were discussing the issue of the MTO allowing the transportation of goods only within certain limits. The discussions did not go well, leading to an argument, and the situation gradually became tense. They left the checkpoint before the MTO side became violent," a refugee from Matupi in Saiha district told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. It is understood that some angry Rakhine traders destroyed and set fire to the MTO checkpoint just minutes after the MTO officials had left. "After the MTO officials left, the Rakhine traders were angry because the discussions did not go well. Their discussions were not going well from the beginning. In the end, the situation worsened. Then, some of the angry traders first destroyed the checkpoint. After destroying it, they set fire to the checkpoint," a refugee from Matupi in Saiha district told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Although the fire was contained before it could spread rapidly, records of goods entering and leaving by boat at the checkpoint and commodity lists were damaged, and approximately 10,000 rupees were lost, according to local media reports. Regarding this incident, the MTO headquarters announced on September 14 that an on-site investigation would be conducted. Khaikhy village is located in the Paletwa Township and Saiha district on the India-Myanmar border and is the largest route for the transportation of goods from the Myanmar side.