Maungdaw, May 27, 2005: "The price of rice has gone up recently in Arakan, due to the authorities placing a temporary ban on the milling of rice around Arakan state, said a farmer. The ban and price-hike has most severely affected the poorer people throughout the state, particularly day laborers and those living along the border. According to a local rice mill owner from Kyauk Taw, the local authority from the agricultural department has not allowed rice grinding by any rice mills in Arakan state since April, in order to maintain government control of rice production..."