Myanmar’s military regime has blockaded roads in northern Maungdaw Township since August following escalating military tensions with the Arakan Army (AA), and affected residents say they now even require approval from their village administrators and nearby police stations to travel locally.

Locals are also facing food shortages due to the regime’s months-long travel restrictions.

“We now have to apply for letters of approval from ward administrators and police if we are to travel to Maungdaw town and other villages,” a resident of Taman Thar Village in northern Maungdaw told DMG. “Villages have run out of food including rice and oil. Locals are facing hardships as they have blockaded roads for a long time.”

Locals are required to seek criminal history clearance certificates from village administrators, the administrator of Nga Khu Ya Village, U Zaw Win Aung, confirmed to DMG.

“The district administrator has instructed that villagers must seek criminal history clearance certificates if they are to travel to Maungdaw. Security checkpoints allow only those holding certificates to pass,” he said.

Some security checkpoints, however, are denying travel privileges despite the fact that locals hold criminal history clearance certificates, said a resident of Mingalar Nyunt Village.

“Even if we have certificates from village administrators and police, some security checkpoints do not allow us to pass,” he said.

The military imposed travel restrictions along the Agnumaw-Maungdaw road after junta troops and the Arakan Army clashed near the Mayu mountain range and Done Pike Village in Rathedaung Township, and Mt. Wai Lar in Maungdaw Township, on August 13.

The travel ban is taking a heavy toll on thousands of villagers across more than 20 villages in northern Maungdaw Township.

DMG was unable to reach Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment.