Myanmar's Arakan Army Detains Boatmen Following Violent Incident in Khaikhy Village
Incident Overview
An image of Khaikhy village (Photo: MizoramInsta/ @sangpuia_rosang/ Meta)
Aizawl, Sept 21: The Arakan Army, based in Myanmar, has detained seven boatmen linked to a violent incident at a trading hub in Khaikhy village, located in the Siaha district. Sources indicate that this event involved an attack and vandalism.
Details of the Incident
The altercation occurred on September 14 at the Khaikhy jetty, a significant point for informal trade between southern Mizoram and Myanmar's Rakhine and southern Chin regions.
U Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the United League of Arakan, which is the political arm of the Arakan Army, stated that their law enforcement division has pinpointed Ko Zaw Naing Linn (25) and six others as the instigators of the violence.
The detained boatmen have faced reprimands from the Arakan Army, which has also announced that legal proceedings will be initiated against them under the organization's regulations.
Cause of the Dispute
According to Thukha, the conflict began when the boatmen, reportedly intoxicated, expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of boats while waiting for their turn, claiming that boats from the Indian side were being prioritized.
The situation escalated when Zaw Naing Linn allegedly rallied around 30 individuals who then attacked the duty post of the Mara Thyutlia Py, a youth organization in Siaha district. This group vandalized the post and attempted to set it ablaze.
Impact on Trade
In response to the incident, the Mara Thyutlia Py has indefinitely halted trading activities with the Rakhine and southern Chin states. N Solomon Beihlotha, the general secretary of the organization, confirmed that this suspension took effect at 7 pm on Wednesday, following an assessment of the September 14 event.
Khaikhy, situated along the Salalui river on the Mizoram-Myanmar border, serves as a crucial hub for cross-border trade. Reports indicate that over 100 pick-up trucks transport goods to Khaikhy daily, with a similar number of boats carrying consignments along the Salalui towards Paletwa and other regions in southern Chin and Rakhine.
The trade suspension could significantly disrupt supplies to Rakhine and southern Chin, areas that have already been facing connectivity issues since the military coup in Myanmar. Southern Mizoram has become an essential route for delivering vital goods, including fuel, to these neighboring regions.