Myanmar government rejects Rohingya plea for ceasefire

Just when peace looked a possibility in Myanmar, a stinging message from the government, refusing a ceasefire declared by Rohingya Muslim insurgents for the sake of thousands of refugees fleeing violence.The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army tabled a month-long truce on Sunday (Sept 10), urging government troops to lay down their arms so desperately needed aid can flow through to Rakhine state.The region is becoming more dangerous by the day.Hundreds have been killed, villages torched, and the border crossing is reportedly booby-trapped with landmines.This, since the latest flare-up of violence sparked last month.In that time, the un says nearly 300,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh, in what is now arguably Asia's biggest refugee crisis."We came by foot and it took 10 days to reach here, crossing from hill to hill. We did not have sufficient food, we were even without food, we struggled a lot to reach here," said Abdul, a Rohingya refugee who has fled across the border.Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has long been criticised for failing to stop the violence.Now with this ceasefire rejection, the nobel peace laureate is almost certain to face more international pressure.