The army and the ministry of home affairs did not respond to detailed questions from Reuters about events in Rakhine.

We have not offered to take Sri Lankan nationals, said Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, spokesman at the ministry of home affairs.

The army is conducting an internal probe and the ministry of home affairs, which is controlled by the army, is also carrying out an inquiry.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi had no immediate comment.

The Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs were not available for immediate comment.