''Excessive'' taxes on Myanmarese traders affect markets in Mizoram

Aizawl, Aug 13 (UNI) Monsoon related road damage has left traders across the Indo-Myanmar border, paying additional taxes to the Myanmar authorities, indirectly affecting the prices of foreign goods across Mizoram.

Damaged roads in the Myanmar side have compelled traders to walk, giving an advantage to the authorities to collect more taxes from them.

According to the trading sources, the Burmese authorities have allegedly collected Kyat (Myanmar currency) 1,000 per head from the travellers on foot and Kyat 500 per vehicle at each check gate since the past few months.

The trade route connecting Tedim and New Rih town, about five km from Champhai, gets damaged in monsoon.

Traders usually spend three to four days on this road. The goods are transported by vehicles while the owners travel on foot.

Sometimes the traders hire porters to transport their goods and pay Kyat 500 per viss (one and half kilograms) plus Kyats 1,500 for a meal.

Check gates, where the authorities collect taxes are located in Laitui, Lentlang, Hmunthar, Khuathar and Rih villages between Tedim and New Rih town.

Traders also pay additional taxes if they encounter police, immigration officials or army patrols, sources said.

About seven to ten jeeps travel between Tedim and Rih in a day carrying 20 to 30 traders with their goods.

UNI BB-SNR JYN/SRC1108