Lawngtlai District reopens vital Myanmar trade route following fatal incident and successful local negotiations

Mizzima

The District Magistrate of Lawngtlai, Donny Lalruatsanga, officially rescinded a border closure order on 25 February, allowing the resumption of trade and movement between Mizoram and Myanmar’s Chin and Rakhine States.

The reopening comes only ten days after the route was sealed on 16 February following the disappearance and confirmed murder of an Indian driver, Lalramsanga (37 years old), who had been delivering goods to Shinletwa village in Paletwa Township. The initial closure order had been slated to last for two months, sparking immediate concerns over commodity shortages in conflict-torn western Myanmar.

“As the situation within the district is now deemed peaceful and stable, the previous order to close the border gate is hereby revoked starting today,” stated District Magistrate Donny Lalruatsanga in the official announcement.

The order formally withdraws the restrictions previously imposed under Section 233 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which had prohibited international border crossing and trade, effective until further notice.

“The road has reopened. We don’t know yet if the suspects in the murder case have been caught. The early reopening might be due to negotiations between relevant authorities. Regardless, we welcome this move,” a merchant in Mizoram told Mizzima.

The decision to lift the ban follows intensive negotiations between Lawngtlai civil society groups, including the Central Young Lai Association (CYLA), and the Arakan Army (AA), which currently administers the Paletwa region.

 Following the murder, youth organizations in the Shaha and Lawngtlai districts—which border Myanmar expressed outrage and threatened to block border access. In response, the District Magistrate issued the official closure order due to security concerns.

Chin and Rakhine States rely heavily on food supplies and fuel imported from India. Both merchants and locals feared that a prolonged closure would lead to commodity shortages and price hikes.

Merchants are reportedly advising Myanmar nationals to maintain good relations with Mizoram locals and to respect their laws and customs to ensure smooth ongoing trade.