The Military Council troops have sealed off the entries and exits to the town of Matupi in southern Chin State. The locals have been barred from travelling and transporting goods.
Previously, local people were able to travel if they were granted a recommendation letter from the regional administrative office but recently, they are no longer allowed to travel even with such letters, a Matupi resident said.
“We heard that all entries and exits will be closed for about two months. Recently, red flags have been erected in the forest areas around Mindat route. We heard that soldiers are granted to open fire at anyone who goes beyond those flags. No one can go outside for now. No recommendation letters for travel will be issued anymore”, he added.
The Military Council troops placed checkpoints on the three main roads connected to Matupi, Matupi-Mindat road, Matupi-Hakha road and Matupi-Paletwa road, and no one was allowed to pass through.
Matupi is a strategic town located in southern Chin State and the headquarters of the regional military central command bases there. Two battalions of the Military Council were also stationed in Matupi.
After a two-month hiatus without fighting, clashes had resumed between CDF-Matupi and the Military Council troops since mid-September.
It is unknown why the Military decided to siege Matupi, but a resident concluded that it could be due to the renewed fighting after September.
Residents may face hard times ahead if the Military already decided to close all the entries and exits of Matupi for a long period, a local said.
“As the roads are closed now, people can’t transport goods anymore. Only a few goods still left that were imported in previous months. Some merchants stored rice and oils. The remaining goods stored in the city will increase in price for sure. If the blockade like this remains, everyone’s livelihood will become harder”, the local resident noted.
Clashes broke out between the Military Council forces and CDF-Matupi on September 19, 24, 25 and today, September 27. 17 Military soldiers were killed during the fighting and a comrade from CDF-Matupi martyred, according to CDF-Matupi.
