11 May 2026 – Displaced residents of Falam town, Chin State, are unable to return home due to exorbitant fees imposed by State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) military checkpoints along the key Kalay-Falam Road, despite the SSPC’s official encouragement for re-entry.
The SSPC recaptured Falam on 25 April. Local sources report that checkpoint charges for large cargo trucks now range from 8 to 10 million kyats, while smaller vehicles face demands of 3 to 5 million kyats.
One resident reported being asked for up to 3 million kyats just for a single Pajero (SUV) vehicle. These fees are dramatically higher than the 30,000 to 50,000 kyats or voluntary contributions accepted by previous Chin resistance checkpoints.
The excessive financial demands are making the journey unaffordable for most families. This difficulty contrasts sharply with the recent movement of administrative personnel, with over 100 non-CDM civil servants returning to Falam on 6 May.
The obstruction of civilian returns comes amid continuing conflict in the region, with clashes between Chin resistance forces and SSPC troops still reported along the nearby Kalay-Tedim Road corridor.
The SSPC is currently engaged in intense military activity across Chin State, including airstrikes and drone attacks in townships like Tedim and Falam, which has contributed to a worsening humanitarian crisis and mass displacement. – Reporting by Daniel
