Violent attacks in Myanmar western state "instigation-related occurrence": defense chief

The ongoing violent attacks in Myanmar's western Rakhine state is " instigation-related occurrences, not religious dispute", official media quoted Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing as reporting on Thursday.

Meeting with visiting Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Bert Koenders in Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday, Min Aung Hlaing called for abiding by the existing law of the country regarding the current issue in the Rakhine state.

"Tatmadaw (Army) is here to protect the citizens from depredation as a priority and to cooperate with all countries in accord with international laws and regulations," he said.

Under colonial rule, a lot of Bengalis from Bangladesh arrived Rakhine state as laborers without going back to their origins, causing disputes with the locals and those Bengalis did not undergo the process of 1982 citizenship law, he pointed out.

However, he pledged that the military will help them with the process to acquire the rights they deserve and to have those entitled to the law decided under the program of UN High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR).

A series of fightings between the government troops and hundreds of armed men , originated from Oct. 9 violent attacks on three border posts with Bangladesh by the armed men, were going on in Maungtaw township in Rakhine state over the last several days, in which both sides suffered casualties.

Maungtaw township has been placed under curfew order beginning last Sunday due to Oct. 9 violent attacks on the three border posts. Enditem