Normalcy returns to Rakhine: official
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Violence has claimed 84 lives with almost 3,000 houses destroyed
The situation in western Rakhine State has become “almost normal” after a week of violence between Rakhines and Bengalis, according to a top government official.
The normalcy returned over the past two days after deployment of troops, Zaw Htay, director at the President’s Office, posted on his Facebook page.
The renewed violence left at least 84 people killed, 129 injured and 2,950 houses burnt down between October 21 and 26.
Eleven Media reporters confirmed that there was no violence or riots in the state on Sunday.
According to Zaw Htay, 51 army regiments, 5,000 policemen and 1,000 border immigration control troops were deployed in the violence-hit areas of the state as President Thein Sein directed authorities concerned to do everything to restore peace and tranquillity after the violence began on the night of October 21.
Saying that the government has been criticised for its failure to provide enough security in the state, Zaw Htay wrote on his Facebook page that enough security measures – such as patrolling and setting up checkpoints – were arranged at flash points of violence.
Currently, measures are being taken to provide shelter, food and healthcare to the victims of the violence.
State-owned media said 1,058 people are facing legal action for their involvement in the violence that took place from June 8 to October 26.
The latest round of riots came a week after the announcement that plans to open an office of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Myanmar had been thwarted. The OIC was designed to aid Bengali Muslims, a move opposed by Rakhine Buddhists.
The successive riots that started on October 21 quickly spread from the town of Minbya to Mrauku, Myaypon, Kyaukphyu, Toungup, Kyauktaw, Yatheytaung, Pauktaw, Yanbye and Thandwe.
The government warned that the strife risks harming the country’s reputation while it seeks to install democratic rule.
“As the international community is closely watching Myanmar’s democratic transition, such unrest could tarnish the image of the country,” the office of President Thein Sein said in a statement published by the state-run Myanma Ahlin newspaper.
“The army, police and authorities, in cooperation with local people, will try to restore peace and stability and will take legal action against any individual or organisation trying to instigate the unrest,” the statement read.
New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) on October 27 called on the government to protect both ethnic groups.
“Myanmar’s government urgently needs to provide security for the Rohingya. Unless the authorities also start addressing the root causes of the violence, it is only likely to get worse,” HRW deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson said.
The National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, released a statement on October 25, urging the government and authorities to urgently address the severe situation in Rakhine and to take effective measures for the restoration of the rule of law.
The 88 Generation Students Group likewise called on all citizens, including Buddhist monks, to cooperate and seek a peaceful settlement that will promote human rights, national interest and democratic reforms.
The group said harsh handling of the situation would not result in constructive results.
Min Ko Naing, a leader of the political group, said they would not have “their people branded as terrorists”. He said the problems are by nature unpredictable and deeply rooted, adding that the media should avoid reporting news that would add fuel to the fire.
The Arakan League for Democracy said in a statement that at a time when the country is transitioning to democracy, widespread violence will spell disaster. It called on “external bodies” to neither encroach on the sovereignty of the country nor incite racial hatred that will hamper democratic reforms.
