The KIA has sent a letter to shopkeepers ordering them not to sell products such as alcohol, beer, food and construction materials manufactured by Myanmar junta-owned companies, in Hpakant Township, Kachin State starting from 20 March, according to locals.

The KIA sent the letter to grocery stores, restaurants, KTV establishments and bars telling them not to sell and transport military-backed products such as Myanmar beer, Dagon beer, ABC Beer, Andaman beer, Dagon Gin, Dagon Extra Strong Beer, Dagon Single Malt Larger Beer, Mandalay Beer, Black Shield Stout, Myanmar Premium Beer and Sin Min cements.

A grocery store owner said, “A letter with the name of the shop on the envelope was sent yesterday. If we run out of military-backed products, we will not sell any more."

A local resident said that most people in Hpakant were unaware of the KIA’s statement because of the internet black-out and only found out about it when the KIA sent the letter to shops.

Another grocery store owner said: “The notices were sent to the big shops. They [the KIA] have not sent letters to small shops yet.” Another shop owner said: “If these commodities run out in my shop, I will not sell them anymore. The KIA informed us almost a month in advance, so we did not stockpile a lot of those goods.”