Suu Kyi visits Myanmar's conflict-hit Rakhine state

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday arrived in Rakhine on her first visit to the state since deadly violence broke out late August forcing over 600,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh.

According to U Zaw Htay, director-general of the State Counsellor's Office, Suu Kyi will also look into the reconstruction projects in Taungpyo Letwei and Khon Tine villages during her one-day trip to the state, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Myanmar government has been implementing some short-term projects in the northern part of Rakhine after the region regained security and stability which had been destroyed by terrorists over the past three months.

On October 17, the government formed the Union Enterprises for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD), led by Suu Kyi, for effective performance of long-term project of freedom from conflict.

Myanmar has also formed nine private sector task forces to join the UEHRD.

Suu Kyi has prioritised three main tasks to be done in Rakhine -- repatriation of refugees who have crossed over to Bangladesh and providing humanitarian assistance effectively; resettlement and rehabilitation; and bringing development to the region and establishing lasting peace.

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army extremist group attacked police outposts in Rakhine on August 25, leading to the mass exodus.

The Nobel laureate has been criticised by the international community for failing to speak up in defence of the Rohinyga.

--IANS

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