Aizawl: The Siaha district unit of the Mizoram Commercial Vehicles Owners Association (MCVOA), in southern Mizoram bordering Myanmar, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United League of Arakan (ULA) and its armed wing, the Arakan Army (AA), to improve cooperation in cross-border trade.Sources in Siaha said the MoU was signed at the Press Club in Siaha town on Thursday by representatives of MCVOA’s Siaha district unit and ULA/AA.ULA/AA is the largest armed group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and is fighting for greater autonomy for the state, according to the sources. It operates in Rakhine State and southern Chin State.The MoU seeks to improve cooperation between MCVOA and ULA/AA in the ongoing informal cross-border trade along the southern section of the Mizoram-Myanmar border. It also aims to resolve misunderstandings and other obstacles arising in the border areas through coordination and dialogue.The two sides discussed a range of issues, including their respective concerns and the fixation of uniform and reasonable rates for hiring vehicles and boats, particularly at Ralie and Salachhuah villages in Myanmar. The villages are separated by the border river Lopu, across which the informal trade is conducted.They also decided that the gates at Ralie and Salachhuah would remain open until 8pm every day.The meeting was presided over by K Hmangaihliana, president of MCVOA’s Siaha district unit. MCVOA leaders told ULA/AA representatives that they should deal with traders from the district, saying this would be more beneficial and safer.Earlier, the Mara Thyutlia Py (MTP), the largest civil society organisation in Siaha district, had imposed an indefinite embargo on trade at informal border points with Myanmar’s southern Chin and Rakhine states from 7pm on Sept 16. The decision followed a dispute between traders from Myanmar and MTP volunteers at Khaikhy village two days earlier.The embargo was lifted at 4pm on Sept 24 after MTP leaders held talks with ULA/AA at MTP General Headquarters Conference Hall in Siaha, according to the organisation.The MTP delegation was led by its president, S Vabeihasa, and vice-president, FC Khihnia. ULA/AA was represented by Border Relations Officer Chonai and County Administrator Nan Zing.The embargo at the border was expected to affect people in Rakhine and southern Chin states, which have been cut off from other parts of Myanmar since the military coup. Southern Mizoram is a major source of essential commodities, including fuel, for the two areas.
