Tatmadaw reopened transportation routes to Paletwa, Chin State to provide basic commodities for locals and the trucks carrying basic commodities have arrived in the township on April 19, announced the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services on April 20.

AA terrorists have been committing destructing acts and planting mines in the region to disrupt Paletwa-Mizoram road construction project and Paletwa bridge construction tasks for the development of Paletwa region in Chin State since early 2019. Clashes broke out near Point 904, Point 886 and Myeikwa made to slow regional commodity flow and cause sparking high commodity prices. As rice prices become far higher than normal, local people, departmental staffs and displaced people are facing difficulty with their food.

For the convenience of service personnel and local people, Tatmadaw donated 100 bags of rice stockpiled for soldiers and their families from the regional battalion headquarters for two times on March 14 and April 15. Tatmadaw has been making efforts to ensure the rule of law and reopen the transportation routes in Paletwa since early March, it said.

Tatmadaw troops confronted clashes with AA terrorists frequently while trying to open 37 miles long Kyauktaw-Paletwa transportation routes (including roads and water routes) and 43 miles long road between Hsamee-Paletwa. Efforts were made to transport foodstuffs provided by the Chin State Government and NGOs for the local people through Matupi Town of Chin State. However the transport of the supplies was stopped in Hsamee Town due to the fighting, it said.

As Tatmadaw tightened security along the route, the supplies reached Seinsanwa Village on the evening of April 16 through Hsamee. Upon arrival of the supplies, the Tatmadaw troops again confronted clashes with the AA terrorists in the places southeast, east and north of Paletwa. The convoy of trucks carrying those supplies had to stop for a while at the security camp in Seinsanwa Village, and Tatmadaw took necessary regional security and stability measures.

Under the arrangement of the military headquarters on the frontline, the transport of the supplies continued on April 19 and they arrived safely in Paletwa in the afternoon, it said.

A total of 830 bags of rice, 200 viss of edible oil, 750 viss of onions, 300 viss of potatoes and 18 boxes of assorted medicines donated by the Chin State Government and NGOs for locals, civil staff and IDPs were systematically handed over to officials in Paletwa in the evening of April 19, it said.

Fake news was reported on the internet and websites that the Tatmadaw convoy transporting the aids was harried by the AA terrorists. As Tatmadaw was taking security measures for the convoy carrying aids along the road, the AA terrorists were not able to attack the convoy, which arrived at its destination without any hindrance, it said.