Myanmar regime tightens restrictions on transport of goods from Mandalay

Myanmar’s junta has intensified its inspections of goods going north from Mandalay and added to its list of restricted items since the beginning of August, according to merchants based in the city. The move, aimed at putting pressure on groups opposed to the regime, is expected to add to the hardships of civilians living in resistance-held territories, where the junta routinely carries out indiscriminate bombing raids. Under the new restrictions, trucks carrying a wide array of goods, from feminine hygiene products to mosquito nets and mining equipment, are now subject to stringent inspections before they are allowed to travel north, sources said. The affected areas include parts of Sagaing and Mandalay regions under the control of resistance forces, as well as northern Shan and Kachin states, were ethnic armed groups have significantly expanded their territory over the past two years. According to one Mandalay-based merchant, the junta has recently begun carrying out multi-team inspections at the Swe Taw truck terminal, a major transit hub for shipments heading to areas north and east of the city. “Trucks now have to park at Swe Taw before they load. The inspections are even tougher than they were before. It looks like they’re trying to cut off Sagaing Region,” the merchant said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He added that it is getting difficult to transport even food to some areas. Another merchant noted that goods going south to destinations like Yangon, Meiktila, and Taunggyi can still move relatively freely, but anything for shipment to the north faces strict controls. In addition to inspections at the Swe Taw terminal, trucks travelling north are also subject to further scrutiny at checkpoints set up along all the main roads, he said. Due to the restrictions, many merchants say they have stopped accepting orders for items on the junta’s list of restricted goods, including products such as fertiliser that are needed by farmers. One merchant suggested that the restriction on shipments of menstrual pads could be related to their use on the battlefield, where they can be applied to wounds to help stop bleeding. Another goal of the restrictions is to prevent resistance forces from profiting from resources in areas under their control, some of which have gold mines, oil wells, and other significant sources of mineral wealth. In these areas, access to parts for mechanical equipment used for extraction is increasingly limited, sources said. In December of last year, the regime made multiple arrests in connection with the shipment of fuel to resource-rich areas captured by anti-junta forces. But it is the lack of everyday products that is most likely impact local civilians, according to an official from an activist group based in Sagaing Region’s Kanbalu Township. “We have to pay exorbitant prices for everything now,” he said. “The control of menstrual products and children’s diapers just shows a total lack of compassion for the people.”

Myanmar regime tightens restrictions on transport of goods from Mandalay

Among the goods that are subject to more stringent controls are diapers and feminine hygiene products

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