Paletwa: The Burmese military junta has banned local villagers from travelling on the Indo-Burma border, especially the southern part of Mizoram state of India and south of Chin State in Burma, after seven villagers from two Indian villages died of an unknown disease, said a local resident.
 
“The Burmese Army has banned travel from Mreit WA village in Paletwa Township, located in southern Chin state, to India, after seven people died of an unidentified disease in two Indian villages,” he said.
 
Seven people, six among whom are children, and one elderly person, died recently in Maung Pu Taung and Scota Lan villages in India, opposite Mreit Wa village in Paletwa Township, of an unknown disease. However, a rumour is circulating that they might have died due to Swine Flu.
 
“All the deceased were Burmese, but they lived in Indian villages. Local people believe that they died due to Swine Flu. Following the deaths, the Burmese Army prohibited local people from travelling between the Indo-Burma border,” he said.
 
A village elder from Mreit Wa village confirmed the incident, but the cause of the deaths is still unknown.
 
“Some people die of diarrhea, in the same area every year, but this time it was different and they did not succumb to diarrhea. The Burmese authorities suspect that they died as a result of Swine Flu. All the villagers have been worried since the deaths occurred in the area,” the villager said.
 
Villagers, who are living in the border area on both sides, have avoided travelling from one side to another between the two countries, after the ban on travelling was imposed by the Burmese military junta.
 
According to locals, border trade in the area has also come to a standstill after the Burmese Army banned people from travelling in the area.