Sign of stability seen in Myanmar's violence-hit western Rakhine state: investigation commission

Anxiety of local people in violence-hit areas of Myanmar's western Rakhine state have reduced with sign of resumed stability seen, said Myanmar's Rakhine Violence Investigation Commission Wednesday.

There is no more violence after area clearance was carried out and the investigations are still underway to expose the armed attackers, the commission said in its first press release following a three-day tour to the state.

Schools in some villages in violence-torn areas have been reopened, re-sending teachers to those areas, it added.

During the visit, which ended on Tuesday, the commission inspected attacked areas in the state, meeting with affected communities.

It proposed the authorities to release the innocent ones among the arrested suspects.

Myanmar government formed a 13-member investigation commission on Dec. 1, led by First Vice President U Myint Swe, to probe into the background on Oct. 9 violent attacks by armed men on the three border posts in Maungtaw, in which five soldiers and eight policemen were killed.

The three border posts are Kyikanpyi in Maungtaw, Kotankauk in Buthedaung and Ngakhuya Office.

The commission is tasked to report to the president by Jan. 31, 2017.

In follow-up clashes, a total of 30 attackers including two women were also killed with 12 others captured.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Maungtaw since Oct. 10.

Islamic extremists were exposed as being involved in the attacks, which were supported financially by foreign terrorist organizations, the government said. Enditem