The military council has imposed restrictions on the transportation of goods along the Yedashe-Pakokku road in Magway Region. Starting from August 6, the military has limited the transportation of goods to only one bag of rice and one container of cooking oil per trip, with any excess being confiscated at military checkpoints at the entrances and exits of Pakokku and Yedashe towns. According to local residents, these restrictions have severely impacted the flow of goods in the region, and there are growing concerns about potential price increases for essential commodities.
When merchants approached military officers at the checkpoints to inquire about the restrictions, they were informed that these measures were implemented under orders from the commander of the 101st Infantry Division in Pakokku, with no indication of how long these restrictions would remain in place. Yedashe Township is currently under military administrative control, and these restrictions appear to be part of the military’s four-cuts strategy implementation. As a result, civilians have lost their freedom to transport goods freely within the region.
According to a local resident, the road restrictions have been in place for approximately two days, causing significant difficulties for both merchants and shoppers. Military checkpoints are inspecting every vehicle, and goods exceeding the prescribed limits are being seized in what locals describe as robbery-like confiscations. The local population is increasingly concerned about the potential scarcity of goods and subsequent price inflation in the region due to these restrictions. The military’s actions are severely limiting the economic activities of civilians and creating hardships for daily commerce in the affected areas.
