On Monday, 3 July 2017
The Myanmar security forces has been put on high alert in
Maungtaw, northern Rakhine state, following spate of killings by armed men and
fear of fresh attacks, official report said on Sunday.
In the past two weeks, six civilians have been murdered
and two have gone missing or been abducted.
The incidents have prompted nearly 200 Rakhine Buddhist
villagers to flee the area.
Security has been tightened near villages in Maungtaw
with Rakhine state Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Htein Lin
calling for public cooperation for security.
He pledged that the security forces will quickly respond
to the emergency situation.
According to a statement of the national security adviser
on the security situation in the state released late Saturday, the military has
found increasing evidence of extreme activities in recent weeks with tunnels,
guns and a terrorist training camp being uncovered in Bhthidaung-Maungtaw
area's Mayu Mountain.
Three armed attackers were killed during the area
clearance operation by the security forces on Tuesday.
Tension has been escalated in the northern state,
especially after last year's Oct. 9 violent attacks by armed men on three
border outposts in Maungtaw.
The statement said that during the period from October
last year to June 26 this year, a total of 38 civilians had been murdered in
Maungtaw area with 22 others missing or abducted, including four community
leaders.
It pledged continuation to assess the security situation
and take appropriate actions which are necessary to secure long-term stability
and peace in the region.