Truth about Maungtaw attacks emerging: Investigation Commission Chairman

December 26, 2016

The Chairman of the Investigation Commission on Rakhine State said the truth about the recent violent attacks in northern Rakhine is being uncovered, commenting that the attackers took their time, planning the deadly ambushes since 2012.

“The recent conflicts were different from previous ones. Previously, events were communal conflicts that took place between the two local communities. The recent occurrences were conspired after 2012 to wage an armed attack, intended to harm the sovereignty of the country,” said U Myint Swe, Chairman of the commission, at the coordination meeting of the commission in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

 The recent attacks are more complicated than any previous conflicts in Rakhine, U Myint Swe said, as they were found to be linked with overseas organizations.

The report of the commission will include suggestions on how to prevent similar armed attacks in the future and how to cooperate in the interests of national security among the government, the Tatmataw, Myanmar Police Force and the local people.

In his remarks, Vice President U Myint Swe said that his commission will go to the affected areas to find out further information as needed so that the commission can compile a full report.

“The principal responsibility of the commission is to investigate the true situation and background factors over the violent armed attacks in Maungtaw region on October 9, November 12 and 13, for similar incidents not to take place in the area again, and to compile an investigative report suggesting as to whether the incidents were dealt with, in accord with existing rules and regulations of the State,” U Myint Swe said.

The commission visited Maungtaw Township from December 11 to 13, inspecting and investigating in the villages where the armed attacks occurred — Kyikanpyin, Kyeinchaung, Ngakhura, Pyaungpike, Pwintphyuchaung, Wapeik, Gwazone, Nganchaung, Kyetyoepyin and Koetankauk.

As a result of the commission’s trip to the area to investigate and interview people in the region and provide timely press releases on the situation, it was the commission’s wish to arrange for independent journalists to cover the situation there without restriction in the affected areas, in consultation with respective ministries.

At the meeting, Chief of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Zaw Win clarified outbreaks of fire that took place recently in the Maungtaw region and armed attacks, threatening and killing of villagers by terrorists and the most recent situations in Maungtaw region.

Then, U Zaw Myint Pe, Secretary of the commission, explained the introduction, aims and objectives of the report, facts on Rakhine State, findings of the commission, matters to be investigated further and the contents of the report to be compiled.

Commission members also gave comments and the Vice President made the closing speech.

Present at the meeting were members of the investigation commission on Rakhine State — U Aung Kyi, U Tun Myat, Dr Thet Thet Zin, Dr Aung Tun Thet, U Nyunt Swe, U Saw Thalay Saw, Daw Kyein Ngaik Man, Police Major-General Zaw Win, U Aung Naing, Dr Hla Maung, U Tha Nyan, Secretary U Zaw Myint Pe and responsible officials.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar