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Truth about armed attacks in Myanmar's Rakhine state being uncovered: investigation commission

Xinhua, December 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

The truth about Oct. 9 armed attacks in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state is being uncovered, chairman of the Rakhine incident investigation commission U Myint Swe said.

Speaking at a coordination meeting of the commission in Nay Pyi Taw Monday, U Myint Swe, who is also First Vice President, said that the attackers took their time to conspire the deadly attacks since 2012 which was intended to harm the sovereignty of the country.

Noting that the recent attacks were different from the previous ones which took place between the two local communities only, he said the recent attacks were more complicated than any previous conflicts in the state as they are found to be linked with overseas organizations.

U Myint Swe vowed that his commission will go again to the affected areas to find out further information as needed so that the commission can compile a full report, Myanmar News Agency reported Tuesday.

The commission visited Maungtaw township from Dec. 11 to 13, inspecting and investigating in the 10 villages where the armed attacks occurred.

The commission had also arranged for independent journalists to cover the true situation there without restriction in the affected areas in response to the call of Kofi Annan, chairman of the government-assigned Advisory Commission, early this month to allow access to information in the northern Rakhine state to refute the rumours.

The government formed a 13-member investigation commission, led by U Myint Swe, in Dec. 2 to probe into the background of Oct. 9 violent attacks by armed men on three border posts in Maungtaw.

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

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

A series of fightings followed after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in violent attacks by armed men on Oct. 9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office in the state.

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