Journalists allowed to tour conflicted areas in Myanmar

Myanmar authorities have allowed a group of journalists from local and international media to make a three-day tour from Monday to Maungdaw township in northern Rakhine state to cover conflicts, official media reported on Monday.

The authorities' permission was given for the tour in response to the call of Kofi Annan, chairman of the government-assigned Advisory Commission, earlier this month, to allow access to information in Rakhine state to refute rumors.

The selected journalists include those from the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Government spokesman U Zaw Htay said the security forces will escort the media team to the areas.

The advisory commission, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, was formed in August to provide recommendation to the Myanmar government on measures for resolving the complex challenges facing Rakhine state.

A series of fighting followed after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in violent attacks by armed men on Oct. 9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyin of Maungdaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office in the state.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew is still being imposed on Maungdaw since Oct. 10.

source: Xinhua