The scene near a market in the Rakhine State capital, Sittway, in a file photo taken on February 27, 2014. The authorities in Rakhine have extended by two months curfews imposed in Sittway and Kyaukphyu in October 2012, residents say.
A curfew imposed on Sittway and Kyaukphyu townships in Rakhine State in October 2012 has been extended for another two months, residents told Mizzima on August 11.
Residents of the state capital, Sittway, said they were told by the township administrator of the decision to extend the 6pm to 6am curfew, which was imposed after a second outbreak of communal violence in Rakhine in 2012.
The decision came despite Rakhine Chief Minister U Maung Maung Ohn telling a meeting of residents of the townships on July 3 that he intended to lift the curfew.
A curfew imposed on Kyauktaw Township was lifted on August 8.
"The situation in Kyaukphyu township has long been calm and the decision to extend the curfew is unnecessary," U Tun Tun Naing, a member of Kyaukphyu Township Development Committee told Mizzima on August 11.
Rakhine State government spokesperson U Win Myaing told Mizzima on August 11 that the decision to extend the curfew was not due to instability.
"But we are unable to lift the curfew at this time," U Win Myaing said, without elaborating.
