Myanmar tightens security at border check points, airports

Myanmar border police in Maungdaw, Rakhine state on August 28 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar has tightened security measures at the country's border check points and airports in its efforts to prevent terrorists from infiltrating into the country, reported Myanmar News Agency on October 11.

In a meeting of the Foreigners Monitoring and Protection Central Committee (FMPCC) in Nay Pyi Taw on October 10, First Vice President U Myint Swe warned that the recent terrorist attacks in northwestern Rakhine state can affect the country's tourism industry and the situation demands security measures be stepped up at border points.

The official called for strict scrutiny of foreigners entering the country, while protecting normal international visitors, diplomats, personnel of UN agencies and non-governmental organisations as well as foreigners with other visas.

He added that defence against black-listed persons and terrorists can only be achieved through proper assessment and scrutiny.

Clashes between Myanmar army and insurgents flared up in Rakhine state as gunmen attacked 24 police posts and broke into a military outpost in Rakhine on August 24. To date, at least 110 people have been killed. Dozens of thousands of Rohingya people, mainly women and children, have sought ways to flee into Bangladesh.  

[Myanmar, Bangladesh coordinate to repatriate Rohingya]

Myanmar formed the 19-member FMPCC in June 2016 to effectively carry out tasks to scrutinise foreigners that enter the country and protect them.

There are four international gates in Myanmar, namely Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports and Yangon International Thilawa Port, as well as 23 other border gates.

The same day, people with different religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hindu in Myanmar held a mass prayer ceremony in Yangon for the first time to pray for friendship and peace, aiming to ease conflicts in Rakhine state.

The event at the Aung San Stadium was sponsored by the ruling National League for Democracy party (NLD). It was attended by about 30,000 people, including Yangon region government officials and parliament members as well as representatives of different religions.-VNA