Local residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township and travellers have called for the removal of a COVID-19 checkpoint near Kyauk Talone Pagoda, claiming that automobiles and motorbikes have been subjected to inspections irrelevant to pandemic measures.
“As COVID-19 is under control now, I think there is no need for inspection anymore. I have talked to township authorities about it. But they have not yet removed the checkpoint. The checkpoint is a nuisance to the public and it should be removed if it is no longer necessary,” said Kyaukphyu resident U Hla Myo Kyaw.
The checkpoint was set up jointly by local residents and regional authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus when a second wave of COVID-19 hit Arakan State in August.
In their inspections of vehicles that drive through the checkpoint, police reportedly note down the licence plates, citizenship IDs of drivers and their addresses, causing delays for travellers, said a driver who asked for anonymity.
“Inspection is not a problem if we are not in a hurry. But sometimes, when we have patients to send to hospital, and there are four or five vehicles lined up before us, I feel annoyed,” he said. “If the staff on duty at the checkpoint are kind enough, they’ll allow me to jump the queue. Otherwise, I am chided if I ask them to let me pass first.”
An official from the Kyauk Talone checkpoint said they were ordered by the township administration council to take record of every vehicle that enters and leaves the township.
Former Arakan State lawmaker U Poe San of Kyaukphyu said: “In fact, they don’t make thorough inspections. The driver has to get out of the car, and tell them the number of the licence plate, his ID and address. That’s all. They don’t check all the people on board. Such kind of inspection is not practical. I feel like it just obstructs public transportation.”
As Kyaukphyu has not experienced any major conflict and stability prevails in the area, there is no need for inspections at the Kyauk Talone checkpoint, U Poe San contends.
Officer U Kyaw Nu of the township administration council declined to comment on inspections at the Kyauk Talone checkpoint.
