Myanmar begins investigation into bodies discovered in mass grave

YANGON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A forensic investigation into 10 bodies uncovered in a village in Maungtaw, Myanmar's western Rakhine state, has begun with a medical team, judicial personnel and local administration, Myanmar News Agency reported Wednesday.

The 10 bodies were found in a mass grave in Indin village after the authorities acted on an anonymous tip-off, said the police.

The military authorities warned in a statement that action would be taken against the killers of the 10 victims, saying that the security forces were ordered to follow rules of engagement in conducting law enforcement measures to restore rule of law following Aug. 25 terrorist attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists in the area.

In the terrorist attack, ARSA committed besieging and threatening villagers from ethnic villages, members of the police force, government staff and Buddhist monks and raided the villages and police outposts.

The attacks on police outposts have displaced residents from a number of areas in Maungtaw of the state.

Following the return to normalcy of Rakhine situation, Myanmar formed the Implementation Committee of Recommendations on Rakhine State in September to implement the recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission, led by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The government has also invited cooperation from local and international community in rebuilding and resettlement efforts for conflict-torn Rakhine state. Enditem