ILLEGAL gates have been opened along the banks of the Thaungyin River in Myawady Township, Kayin State, where armed terrorist groups have been collecting money to im­port, store, and distribute illegal goods from abroad. Tatmadaw has now regained control of such area and is demolishing those trade gates and warehouses used for storing and distributing such goods.

During the demolition op­eration, the security and demo­lition teams, along with machin­ery, vehicles, and equipment, inspected the Subgate-35 area — also domestically known as Aung Power Gate-2 — in Ward No 5 of Myawady yesterday morning and demolished a ware­house measuring 120 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 25 feet high.

“We began inspecting and clearing warehouses, marina guard posts, marina guard houses, and cargo ramps at 30 illegally opened border trade gates along the Thaungyin River in Myawady on 31 Octo­ber. The completed clearances include Gate-19, Kyaukphya Gate, Kapawhtoo Gate, Gate- 14, Gate 8/Subgate-8, Gate-9, Gate-18 which is also known as Nay Soe Mya Gate, Gate-13, and Subgate-10, also known as Gate-999,” an official ex­plained.

In addition, the demolish­ing team inspected and cleared Outpost 2, Outpost 3 of Gate-12, Outpost 1 of Gate-14, and Out­post 5 of Grand Myawady Gate, as well as the decommissioned gates of Thaphanpin, Thaepon, Kyauktan, and Mame.

“Goods are not being im­ported through the official trade zones designated by the govern­ment; instead, they are being brought into Myanmar by pay­ing money at illegal gates. As a result, the State loses a signifi­cant amount of tax revenue. The neighbouring country does not lose any tax revenue by opening official checkpoints near these illegal import routes. However, this practice encourages illegal trade, so goods should be im­ported only through designated legal trade routes,” said a resi­dent. — Aung Gyaing/TH