YANGON — Magwe Region Chief Minister Dr. Aung Moe Nyo alleged on Tuesday there had been an attempt to recruit people in his region to form anti-government mobs in Rakhine State’s Ann Township.
The chief minister didn’t identify any organizations in his allegation but said the recruiter offered people an incentive of 500,000 kyats (approximately US$370) for completing the job in Ann Township.
“We cannot reveal the name [of the recruiter] due to security concerns,” Dr. Aung Moe Nyo told members of the press at his office. “But I have informed and instructed respective persons in charge of the divisional authorities concerning the case,” he added.
He did not mention why perpetrators wanted to create instability in Ann Township, why they tried to recruit people in Magwe Region or how many people had been recruited.
Earlier this month, a group of 400 people—some armed with swords and bamboo rods—attacked a mosque and property owned by Muslims in Magwe Division’s Taungdwingyi Township. The mob was later dispersed by riot police with rubber bullets and 30-year-old Ko Hnin Ko Ko Lin was arrested for taking part in the attack.
According to the government’s Information Committee, he was acting because of the “disappointing situation in Rakhine State.”
The Irrawaddy spoke to a regional police officer who said they had not received instructions from the regional government or the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the issue.
