Aizawl: Traders and transporters from Myanmar’s Rakhine state clashed with volunteers of the Mara Thutulia Py near Khaikhy village in southern Mizoram’s Siaha district on Monday, setting a duty post operated by the volunteers on fire, according to reports.
The dispute reportedly arose over the movement of goods across the Salaluli river, a key route for cross-border trade between southern Mizoram and Rakhine state.
The confrontation allegedly took place after Rakhine traders complained that they were unable to ferry adequate quantities of goods by boat from the Indian side to Myanmar.
According to reports, the traders and boat operators approached Mara volunteers manning the duty post, which oversees the transportation of goods in the area. A heated argument reportedly followed after the traders demanded that commodities be made available for transportation across the river.
When the volunteers left the post to avoid a physical confrontation, the traders and transporters allegedly vandalised the post and set it ablaze.
Members of the Mara Thutulia Py alleged that pages of registers containing the names of boat operators transporting commodities, along with account books, were torn out. They further alleged that about Rs 10,000 in cash was missing after the incident.
The confrontation prompted young people from nearby Lopu village to rush to Khaikhy. Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Lopu also moved to the area, following which the Rakhine traders and transporters withdrew from the village.
Mara Thutulia Py leaders in Siaha said a team from the organisation’s Phura sub-headquarters was sent to Khaikhy on Tuesday to assess the situation. The team is expected to submit its report to the organisation’s headquarters, which will take a final decision on the matter.
Khaikhy has emerged as a hub of unregulated cross-border trade between southern Mizoram and Rakhine state. Commodities from India are transported across the Salaluli river to Salachhuah village in Rakhine, with some goods also reportedly reaching Chin state.
Local sources said more than 100 trucks bring commodities to Khaikhy each day, while over 100 boats are engaged in carrying the goods across the river.
Residents alleged that the Arakan Army, which operates in Rakhine, Paletwa, and adjoining areas of southern Chin, is also involved in the cross-border trade.