Myanmar to redevelop conflict-hit region in northern state under law

Myanmar will redevelop conflict-hit Maungtaw region in northern Rakhine state under the country's Natural Disaster Management Law, said Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye.

"After the damage and loss caused by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists, redevelopment of Maungtaw region will be implemented according to Natural Disaster Management Law," the minister told a coordination meeting of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday.

He stressed that burnt lands due to terrorist attacks have become government- managed lands which are covered by the Natural Disaster Management Law enacted in 2013 and the management committee was formed with Second Vice President U Henry Van Thio as Chairman.

Terrorists launched fresh attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25, displacing residents from a number of areas in Maungtaw district to border areas.

The Myanmar government is working for the resettlement of refugees displaced at home and abroad due to conflicts in the country's Rakhine state.

Local people in the affected areas by the recent attacks are being provided with humanitarian aid without discrimination, officials said, adding that the authorities are increasing more humanitarian aid to reach all areas in Rakhine state with the help of donor countries and organizations.

Meanwhile, recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine, led by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, are also being implemented by the Implementation Committee.