(CYLA violates basic humanitarian principles)

AB News – July 7, 2024

The activists of Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) based in the state of Mizoram, India, and 15 members of the Mizoram Police, destroyed more than 100 Rakhine aka Arakan traders’ fuel drums by pouring down into the stream and set fire around 10:30 a.m. on July 5th. In addition to the destruction, some of the fuel drums were taken away with their cars. AB News reported.

An Arakan trader on a condition of anonymity told AB News that the fuel drums were imported for the farmers of Palatwa in Chin and Rakhine States to help them plough their fields.

“The fuel drums were destroyed by CYLA activists and the Mizoram police. About 15 people were found. “This fuel is for the farmers of Palatwa and Rakhine farmers to plough their fields,” he said.

Farmers in Rakhine have been facing difficulties in cultivating their fields due to fuel shortages, and some farmers are seen digging and plaughing with shovels.

On June 24, 2024, CYLA based in India started to close the route of importing basic food products from Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district to Palatwa township, Chin state from the Mizoram side.

CYLA’s blocking of the import route of such basic consumer goods and the destruction of the goods is nothing but a violation of basic humanitarian principles.

Since November 13, 2023, when the battle in Arakan began, the military council has completely blocked both the water and land routes more than 3 million people in Arakan State, including Palatwa, are suffering from shortages of medicines and basic food items.

Due to the cause of CYLA’s members, who have closed the road of transporting basic needs for the people in the Paletwa region and Arakan state, and if it continues the Kaladan project will surely be affected, The AB News evaluated. 

CYLA members are Indian citizens; AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha told the Irrawaddy news agency that it is a group registered with the Indian government and it is unacceptable to interfere in the Myanmar affair from outsiders of anyone. Their acts are nothing but to lead a complex situation between ethnicities. 

YCLA has alleged that the goods being imported from Mizoram are being used by the Arakan Army in the military.

On the Mizoram side, traders said many trucks destined for Arakan and Palatwa have been blocked and some of the goods have been damaged.