Chin State residents take detours in desperate escape paying overpriced transport fees
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Khit/Piya (NP News) - June 28
A refugee from the Matupi Township, Chin State, where there are ongoing battles, reported that some locals are fleeing to other regions. They even have to take a long route to reach Pakokku, where they can take a break before they reach their destinations.
To escape hostilities and reach other townships, including Yangon, some residents from Matupi Township have to take motorcycles to travel from Matupi Township to Rezua Township. From there, they have to take a long detour to Pakokku Township.
"The main Pakokku-Kyaukhtu-Mindat-Matupi route is only about 200 miles long, but it was blocked and impassable. We had to take a detour via Matupi, Rezua, Gantgaw, and Saw, adding roughly 500 miles and so the total of roughly 700 miles to our trip."
Sixty people at a time are reportedly being transported from Rezua to Pakokku and have to pay 100,000 kyats per person.
The report also states that fleeing persons were provided food and water by the Tatmadaw personnel when they crossed the Tatmadaw checkpoints.
"They load people onto a ten-wheeler truck from Rezua to Pakokku, charging 100,000 kyats per person. They say there are 60 people on the truck. Along the way, the checkpoints are strict. When the trucks cross the military checkpoints, the Myanmar military questions them asking how much each person paid, which is 100,000 kyats. The soldiers say, 'These people aren’t on a pleasure trip; they’re fleeing because they can’t live in their villages. You (referring to the driver) shouldn’t treat them this way and should give them food and water. Then, the Tatmadaw officers (Captains) provide food and water to the passengers who fled the conflict,” a person who traveled from Gangaw to Yangon reported.
After arriving in Pakokku from Chin State, many continue their journeys to Yangon, Naypyidaw, and other destinations to visit relatives.