Akyab, Arakan State: A boat plying in Arakan State for delivery of goods to a cooperative store operated by the Burmese authorities, was attacked near Pauktaw on June 13, said a source from Akyab. Goods worth 30 million Kyats were dumped into the water, said an official source from Akyab.
 
The boat was transporting goods to deliver to the government owned cooperative shop. The delivery was controlled by the Western Command Commander’s office from Ann, the sources said.
 
On June 13, the cooperative boat was heading towards Pauktaw, after delivering goods to Punagyyan and Mark U Township. When it was five miles from Pauktaw, suddenly three unidentified fishing boats attacked the boat and threw the goods into the water, said a local elder from Pauktaw.
 
“The unidentified fishing boats could belong to local people who don’t want the cooperative system to operate, meant for government employees, especially for the armed forces,” said the local elder.
 
The local people threw goods worth 30 million Kyats into the water, said an official source from Akyab.
 
The cooperative boat is not provided with security guards. It has seven crew members, he added.
 
After the attack, the authorities checked all the boats which ply in and out of Pauktaw. All the passengers were checked, he added.