Border trade between the town of Rihkhawdar in Chin State and Aizawl in India’s Mizoram State has returned to normal after a trading association in Mizoram agreed last Friday to lift its blockade of goods from Burma.

The Importer and Exporter Code Holder (IEC) Association of Mizoram had blocked imports through Burma’s No. 2 Border Trading Camp near Rihkhawdar into Zokhawthar, in Mizoram’s Champai District since May 15.

Imported materials and local products from Burma are typically transported through this route to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram State, through Zokhawthar and Champhai. These goods are then sent onwards to other Mizoram districts.  

Representatives of the IEC Association and border-based traders met at the Tourist Lodge in Champhai on May 22 to discuss the situation.

Following this meeting, the association agreed to allow the resumption of imports from Burma two days later.

“Traders and IEC representatives met and agreed to open the border for trade again,” a local businesswoman told Khonumthung News. “Border trade has been operating again as usual since May 24.”

At the meeting, traders discussed the difficulties they faced as a result of the blockade.

They agreed not to engage in trade at Mualkawi village in Mizoram State and to reduce multiple taxes on imported products.

Products from Burma have been blocked repeatedly at the No. 2 camp since March, resulting in difficulties for Burmese traders and workers.

Trading is now operating as usual and laborers are back to work at the border camp.