Concerns Rise in Mizoram Over Fuel Smuggling to Myanmar
Fuel Shortage Fears in Aizawl
Aizawl, March 15: In Mizoram, worries are escalating regarding the illegal transport of fuel and essential goods to Myanmar via unregulated border routes. This comes as residents in Aizawl flock to gas stations, anxious about a potential fuel shortage.
Reports indicate that fuel and other vital supplies have been crossing into southern Chin State in Myanmar, despite the lack of official border trade agreements. This unauthorized movement of petroleum products has sparked concerns among locals and community leaders, who fear that the state's limited fuel reserves could be depleted amid ongoing global supply uncertainties.
On Sunday, long lines of vehicles were observed at various filling stations in Aizawl, as drivers hurried to refuel. This surge in demand followed a warning from the State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department, which advised residents to conserve petrol, diesel, and LPG to prevent shortages.
The advisory was prompted by the unstable situation in West Asia, raising public fears that conflicts could disrupt oil and natural gas supplies to India.
Despite the department's reassurance that the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed adequate stocks of LPG, petrol, and diesel in the country, filling stations in the capital have experienced a spike in demand since the advisory was released, with many residents choosing to stockpile fuel as a precaution.
Additionally, the alleged smuggling of fuel to Myanmar has heightened public anxiety.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma previously voiced significant concerns in the State Legislative Assembly regarding the unregulated cross-border trade occurring at Zochachhuah in Lawngtlai district, which borders Myanmar. This area is part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), aimed at connecting Lawngtlai with Paletwa township in southern Chin State.
The Chief Minister informed the assembly that sections of the project road traverse regions in Myanmar that are not under government control but are held by the Arakan Army (AA). He noted that this insurgent group has maintained a cooperative relationship with the Mizoram government and is eager for the project's timely completion.
However, local leaders and residents have raised alarms that the road and adjacent border points are being exploited for unauthorized trade, including the transport of fuel and essential goods across the border.
Prominent civil society leaders in Lawngtlai district, along with some officials, have reportedly expressed their distress over the unregulated export of fuel and other commodities to Myanmar.