YANGON: Rohingya militants have declared a month-long truce in order to allow humanitarian aid into Myanmar's Rakhine state, where military "cleansing operations" have left hundreds dead and forced nearly 300,000 to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.
The rebel group issued the truce statement on its Twitter account, which is how it generally communicates. It urged Myanmar's government forces to reciprocate to assist all victims regardless of their background.
"The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) hereby declares a temporary cessation of offensive military operations," it said in a statement on its Twitter handle @ARSA_Official, adding it was to allow for humanitarian aid to reach the battered region.
The government did not comment immediately.
The rebels' first known attacks on security posts last October and again on August 25 drew savage military reprisals, culminating in the present crisis.
India calls for 'restraint and maturaity'
In a major shift of stance, India on Saturday called for restraint on the part of the Myanmar government to end the violence in Rakhine state.
"India remains deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine state in Myanmar and the outflow of refugees from that region," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement in the evening.
"We would urge that the situation in Rakhine state be handled with restraint and maturity, focussing on the welfare of the civilian population alongside those of the security forces," the statement said.
"It is imperative that violence is ended and normalcy in the state restored expeditiously."
Pakistan summons Myanmar envoy
Pakistan on Saturday summoned the Myanmar envoy and lodged a strong protest over the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua summoned Myanmar's Ambassador to Pakistan U Win Myint and sought effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence, providing security to Rohingya Muslims, the Foreign Office said.
She conveyed "a strong protest of the government and people of Pakistan at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state in Myanmar", it said.
Janjua asked for upholding their rights to live and move without fear and discriminations, urgent investigations into recent violence against the Rohingya Muslims and holding accountable those involved in these serious crimes, it said.
