'Emphasis on long-term peace, stability in Rakhine rehabilitation'

Myanmar's National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday said long-term peace and stability should be emphasised upon in the rehabilitation process in the northern Rakhine state.

In a statement released after its team visited Maungtaw and Buthidaung throughout last week, the Commission called for strict scrutiny of returnees to ensure extremists were excluded, Xinhua news agency said.

The team visited villages and refugee camps, interviewing over 100 people and meeting with local authorities and security personnel.

It found that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) terrorist group recruited young people from the area, intimidated and trained them in terror activities.

The Commission recommended necessary security measures to be taken to ensure peace and tranquility; it proposed measures for the livelihood of these people.

On August 25, the Arsa launched fresh attacks on police outposts in Rakhine displacing residents from Maungtaw district areas.

Bangladesh and Myanmar on Monday agreed to establish a joint working group soon to repatriate refugees who have crossed over to Bangladesh.

The agreement came after a meeting between Bangladeshi Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and a Myanmar delegation-led by Minister of the State Counselor's Office U. Kyaw Tint Swe.

--IANS

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