Maungdaw, Arakan State: People in northern Maungdaw have been facing an acute shortage of rice since the beginning of August, said a member of the village authority.
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Northern Maungdaw Township relies on supply of rice from Maungdaw as production of rice from in that area is insufficient for annual consumption of the people, he added..

So, some people from Maungdaw, who are close to the concerned authorities take advantage and supply rice to this area in motor boats from Maungdaw, said the member..

On August 10, a group of collaborators, who are close to Maungdaw Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) transported 200 sacks of rice in three motor boats to the weekly market to sell in Yetwinpyin (Khawarbill), Ooshaikya (Burashidapara) and Ngarkhura ( Nga Khura), said a TPDC aide  in Maungdaw..

But, on the way to the market, the motor boats have to cross the outpost camp of Kayanchange of the Shewzarr village tract. Captain Aung Htun Myint, the officer-in-charge of the camp seized the three boats and released it after extorting 1.5 million Kyats on August 15, the aide added..

When the collaborators checked the rice in the boats, most of the rice was damaged by rain and sun light because it was not stored properly, said a rice trader...

The rice did not reach the area in time, and the shopkeepers hiked the  price of rice  affecting the poor who are almost starving in the area, he added..

Commander Major Thet Naing of Burma’s border security force, the Nasaka of area No.4 in Maungdaw Township is now controlling the rice market in Maungdaw north by not allowing anybody to sell rice in the local market since last month. He is selling rice at prices higher than normal affecting local people, said a local trader.