Aizawl: Violence broke out on the banks of Salalui river near Khaikhy village at the southern tip of Mizoram’s Siaha district on Monday afternoon, when traders from Myanmar’s Rakhine state allegedly damaged a duty post manned by volunteers of Mara Thyutlia Py (MTP), or Mara youth association.Reports from Siaha town said the incident followed an argument between the Rakhine traders and MTP volunteers over the transport of goods across the river.According to the reports, traders and transporters from Rakhine, who buy and ferry goods from the Indian side by boat, were angered after they found there were few commodities available for transport to Rakhine state at Khaikhy village.The traders approached MTP volunteers at the duty post and asked them to provide goods for transport across Salalui river. The exchange led to an argument.MTP volunteers reportedly left the duty post to avoid a violent confrontation. The Rakhine traders and transporters then allegedly damaged the post and set it on fire.They also allegedly tore pages from record books containing the names of boat transporters carrying commodities, as well as account books. MTP volunteers claimed that about Rs 10,000 in cash was also missing.After learning of the altercation, young people from nearby Lopu village rushed to Khaikhy. Assam Rifles personnel posted at Lopu also went to Khaikhy, following which the Rakhine traders and transporters withdrew from the village. The situation has since returned to normal, the reports said.Leaders of MTP headquarters in Siaha said a team from MTP’s Phura sub-headquarters was sent on Tuesday to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident. The team will submit its report to MTP headquarters in Siaha, which will take a final decision on the matter.Khaikhy village is one of the main hubs of unregulated border trade between businessmen from Myanmar’s Rakhine state and southern Mizoram. Most commodities are transported to Rakhine state and southern Chin state.More than 100 pick-up trucks transport goods to Khaikhy village daily, while more than 100 boats carry goods from Salalui river to Salachhuah village in Rakhine state, according to local accounts.Local people said the Arakan Army, which operates in Rakhine state and in Paletwa and surrounding villages in southern Chin state, has been involved in the lucrative trade.
