Myanmar acts to face challenges of extremist terrorism
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E-mail Xinhua, September 10, 2017
Myanmar is facing new challenges of extremist terrorists' threatened violence and the government has taken various actions to safeguard security.
In a statement released late Saturday responding to recent online messages instigating violence, the Information Committee of the government asked Myanmar people not to be instigated among communities, and urged them to report to authorities about acts suspicious of such incitement.
The local government in Maungtaw, Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, also called on people not to support terrorists in burning homes or properties and refrain from entering restricted areas as part of a new order issued on Saturday.
The order, announced by Maungtaw District General Administration Department, warned of punishment against violators of rule of law.
The statement called for people's obligation to cooperate with the authorities by following instructions of the authorities.
Since early this month, hundreds of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists continued attacks on security forces in Maungtaw as well as family members of some ethnic groups, including Hindu and Daingnet.
The terrorists set on fire hundreds of houses as they stormed some villages in Maungtaw, namely Aukpyuma, Ountaw, Dingar, Sawkeenama, Hontarya and Thinbawgwe.
The recent series of extremist terrorists' attacks have so far displaced a total of 30,200 people, officials said.
The Myanmar security forces vowed preparedness to counter the terrorist attacks, reiterating its warning to take effective actions on any law-breaching acts.
Ministers concerned, who made a field trip to the conflict-torn northern Rakhine state of Maungtaw and Buthidaung areas, briefed President U Htin Kyaw on the latest situation there.
They proposed to the president on future tasks to address the Rakhine issue.
The president stressed that it was the critical moment to meet the responsible officials and asked authorities concerned to renovate the damaged border fences as soon as possible and erect new ones with government fund.
The president also called for reinforcement of security forces to combat the terrorist attacks.
The State Counselor's Office called on the people to be vigilant against any incitement by the ARSA extremist terrorists, urging all people to stay calm in accordance with law and support the government in law enforcement.
Myanmar's National Security Advisor to the government U Thaung Tun urged the media to join hands with the government in its bid to bring in peace, stability and development in northern Rakhine state by reporting the situation there in an objective manner.
U Thaung Tun warned that some fabricated news on the situation in the state is spread with the intent to mislead the public. He said these social media campaigns are aimed at promoting the interests of the terrorists by creating further division between the already divided communities in the northern state, which also caused international misperception on Myanmar.
He pointed out that the current attacks indicated the intention of the terrorist groups to seize and separate the territory.
He stressed that the government cannot condone terrorism in any form or manner and will do its utmost to prevent terrorism from spreading to other parts of the state, adding that there are enough security forces to control the situation.
U Thaung Tun reiterated the government's commitment to carrying out the recommendations of the Advisory Commission, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to the fullest extent within the shortest possible time frame in keeping with the situation on the ground.
He underlined the roadmap for the implementation which includes the establishment of a new ministerial-led committee to oversee progress as well as an advisory board with eminent persons at home and abroad to give advice.
The Myanmar government has also held roundtable talks on Rakhine issue under the topic of "Finding Solutions through Discussions" in Yangon.
Such topics as external involvement in Rakhine affairs and how the conflict can be solved were also discussed at the talks.
Extremist terrorists launched renewed attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25, killing 12 security personnel and one immigration officer. Some 77 terrorists were killed and two captured.
The assaults continued until now, prompting a military sweep against the terrorists. From Aug, 25 to Sept. 4, residents from Taungpyo, Letwe, Kwuntheepin, Thechaung and Meetaik areas in Maungtaw district fled to border areas for refuge and camped along the Myanmar side of the border with Bangladesh.
Earlier reports said 97 terrorist attacks by the ARSA during the period killed 36 people, including 13 security force members, two government service personnel and 21 ethnic people, and injured 22 others.
A total of 59 villages and 6,842 houses were also burnt down by the extremist terrorist with eight bridges destroyed by planted mines.
Meanwhile, 371 terrorists were killed in clashes with the security forces, according to the reports.
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