Naypyidaw, Oct 8 (IANS): Myanmar is stepping up efforts for stability and development in riot-hit Rakhine state, media reports said Tuesday.

The government is trying to complete the citizenship scrutinising process in the state involving both the communities of ethnic Rakhine and Kaman people as early as possible, Vice President Sai Mauk Kham was quoted as saying, reports Xinhua.

"Only when the scrutinisation task is completed, will the mistrust between the two communities in Rakhine state be removed," Kham told at a meeting of the central committee for restoring community peace and stability in Rakhine State.

The vice president asked the committee to draw plan for providing food to the internally-displaced people in the state next year.

"Though restoration of community peace has achieved success to a certain extent, some conflicts occurred in some parts unexpectedly," he said.

He was saddened by the series of riots in Rakhine state, Meikhtila, Pyay, Lashio and Kantbulu which he said have strained the relations between Myanmar and some ASEAN member nations.

A renewed communal violence, triggered by an argument over the parking of a vehicle in front of a shop, broke out in Thandwe Sep 29, killing five people and injuring five.

A total of 59 houses, two religious buildings and one fuel station in more than 10 villages were also damaged during the riot.