President Thein Sein tours conflict-worn Rakhine State
Published on Wednesday, 02 October 2013 20:50
President Thein Sein meeting with town's elders in Maungdaw Township on October 1 (Photo - EMG)
President Thein Sein started his tour of Myanmar's western state of Rakhine on Tuesday. This is the first visit by the president a year and a half since the Rakhine conflict started in 2012.
On arrival in Maungtaw at 2pm, the president met with both Muslim and Rakhine communities, urging them to continue to live in peaceful coexistence.
Before his visit to Maungtaw, Thein Sein went to Mrauk U and met with the local people at Nawarat Hotel. According to a local who attended the meeting, the president stressed the need to ensure community peace and tranquility so that the region could attract tourists.
The president proceeded to Kyauktaw, where he heard reports by officials on projects for electricity and water supply tasks in the town.
A town elder quoted President Thein Sein during his meeting with the Maungtaw District Commissioner as saying that both communities needed to continue to coexist as ever before.
"The president urged us to continue to coexist as we have been living in a brotherly manner. He also stressed the need to live in peace because the conflict has caused manly losses and tarnished the image of Myanmar in the world community. He also urged the Bengalis to live peacefully in the region," said town elder Aung Kyaw Nyunt.
The meeting was reportedly attended by 10 Rakhine nationals and over 20 Bengalis.
The Bengalis reported on measures for the students from their community to be able to resume pursing education at university while the Rakhine nationals submitted communication and transport issues.
Thein Sein went to Sittwe at about 4pm, where he received welcome by about 100 locals holding stage flags and placards reading 'May the President long live'.
During the tour, the president was accompanied by 30 dignitaries. He is scheduled to meet local people at the regional government's office in Sittwe.
Two waves of violence between Rakhine nationals and Bengalis in June and October last year left 192 dead, 265 injured and displacing thousands from their homes.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/03/president-thein-sein-tours-conflict-worn-rakhine-state/
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