CYLA Blocks Paletwa–Mizoram Trade Route, Citing Human Rights Abuses by AA Against Chin People.

The Lawngtlai District Council in Mizoram State has announced that the India–Paletwa trade route — a vital corridor for areas controlled by the ULA/AA — has been indefinitely blocked starting from May 16.

The trade route shutdown is being led once again by the Central Young Lai Association (CYLA), which claims the action was taken in response to human rights violations committed by the Arakan Army (AA) against the Chin ethnic group in Paletwa and Chin State.

The Lawngtlai District in Mizoram, through which this key trade route runs, is an autonomous district council area. The CYLA, a major youth organization representing the Lai ethnic group in Lawngtlai, has historically responded to alleged AA abuses against the Chin by blocking trade routes to AA-controlled territories as a form of pressure. This has been ongoing since 2024.

CYLA has repeatedly stated that their blockade actions are a protest against AA’s human rights violations targeting Chin communities.

In response, the ULA/AA previously issued a warning in July 2024, urging CYLA to refrain from interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs and political issues.