Maungdaw, Arakan State : The Deputy Director of Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) from Napaydaw arrived in Maungdaw Township on April 27, night for investigations into the arrest of Myanmar Muslim Council members, a police source in Maungdaw Town said.

The Deputy Director arrived in Maungdaw after the Deputy Home Minister Phone Swe's departure to Rangoon from Maungdaw town. The home minister had ordered the release of the MMC members before leaving town.

The Deputy Director held closed door meetings with concerned authorities.

The arrested MMC members were produced in court in Maungdaw Town on April 28 and 29. Nobody knows what decision was taken by the judges on the matter. However, the next hearing is fixed for May 12.

People believe that, the Deputy Director's arrival in Maungdaw is related to the forthcoming constitutional referendum and the arrested MMC members, said a trader in town.

Yesterday, all the Maulanas (religious leaders) from northern Maungdaw town were summoned to Maungdaw town by the Township Peace and Development Council chairman for a meeting regarding the referendum. The meeting started yesterday at about 8 am. They were not provided any traveling allowance whereas at least kyat 10,000 to 15,000 will be needed as traveling expenses, said an elder of the locality.