Mizoram bans import of goods from Burma
November 21, 2007 - The import of goods from Burma along the Indo-Burma border trade road (2) was banned yesterday after a controversy broke out between Zokhawthar and Champhai locals over transportation of goods from Burma into Mizoram state, northeast India.
Passengers and goods from Burma arrive in Tio village in Rihkhawdar town on Indo - Burma border. (Photo - Khonumthung)
The authorities from Champhai district in Mizoram state on November 19 issued a notification under article 144/3 RPC banning goods being brought in from Burma to India. The ban was put into affect yesterday and will be valid for two months.
"The authorities have prohibited import of goods from Burma because they are apprehensive that the dispute between locals from Zokhawthar located near the Indo-Burma boundary and bus owners in Champhai district in Mizoram, over transportation of goods from Burma could get worse," a Mizoram local said.
Earlier, the Transport Union in Champhai had controlled transportation of goods brought in from Burma to Mizoram. Later, the locals in Zokhawthar in Mizoram opposite Tio village on the Burma side began to demand the right to carry the goods.
Only 22 agricultural items, listed in the MOU signed by India and Burma relating to border trade in 2003, are in the exemption list.
In August this year, Mizoram authorities also shut down the border trade road between India and Burma for two months following a tip off that illicit drugs and ammunition could enter concealed inside cargo items from Burma to India. – Khonumthung.
