Commission probes aid agency attacks in Myanmar

A five-member commission, appointed by Myanmar's President Thein Sein, has started investigations into the attacks on the international aid agencies in Sittwe, Rakhine.

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File photo: Damaged materials are scattered on the floor at a NGO office after an attack in Sittwe, Rakhine state, western Myanmar. (AFP/Soe Than Win)

SITTWE: A five-member commission, appointed by Myanmar's President Thein Sein, has started investigations into the attacks on the international aid agencies in Sittwe, Rakhine.

The government has called on the UN and other foreign non-governmental organisations' (NGO) officials to return to discuss future plans and cooperation in their aid activities.

To get to the bottom of the attacks on the various aid agencies, the investigation commission is in the process of interviewing and speaking to different groups of people such as religious leaders and local residents who witnessed the incident.

Major General Maung Maung Ohn, chairman of the investigation commission, said: "We want to discuss with the UN chiefs not to suspend or stop their activities. We have to develop short and long term plans going forward.

"It's not true that (the attacks are meant to chase all the) international aid agencies out of here. The government does not accept this. That's why we're cooperating with the UN to stabilise and develop Rakhine."

Some NGO staff are returning to the buildings they once worked in, to assess the state of the property and what is left of their belongings.

They will submit the information to the local Rakhine government and the president-appointed inquiry commission, which was set up to investigate the attacks.

But the foreign aid agencies are not the only ones affected.

Thaung Thaung has been renting her house to foreign aid agency Malteser International for the last seven years, without any problems.

But she has decided to end their tenancy.

She said: "They will fix and pay for the damage in the house. I don't want to rent to them. I'm really scared. I'm afraid of being attacked and (having my house) destroyed."

Many of the local people have already warned homeowners not to rent their properties to international aid agencies. 

- CNA/xq

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/commission-probes-aid-agency-attacks-in-myanmar/