Authorities in Myanmar imposed a night-time curfew in at least two towns in northwestern Rakhine state after renewed deadly unrest between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingyas in an area where more than 80 people were killed in June.

The earlier violence was a setback for the government that has won international plaudits for its political and economic reforms since President Thein Sein took office in March 2011, ending almost 50 years of brutal military rule.

Official media said on Wednesday that two people had been killed and eight injured in the violence since Sunday, while 1,039 homes had been burned down. Unconfirmed reports from other sources put the death toll higher.

Up to 800,000 Rohingyas live in abject conditions along Myanmar's border with Bangladesh. Neither country recognizes them as legal citizens and the Bangladeshi authorities turned away boatloads of Rohingyas fleeing the violence in June.

Most people in Myanmar regard them as illegal immigrants from South Asia. Even Aung San Suu Kyi has sidestepped questions on how to tackle the problem.

Hla Thein, spokesman for the Rakhine State government, said that curfews had been imposed in the townships of Minbya and Mrauk Oo from Monday. Some local sources reported reinforcement of armed police in these towns.

"However, I don't think the situation has returned to normal in villages on the outskirts of Mrauk Oo," retired school teacher Mya Thein said.

Another source reported trouble in a town called Myay Bone.

"The local Rohingyas prepared boats for escape. Just before escape, they started setting fires. Then the Arakans (local Rakhine people) chased them down, seized one of the Rohingyas who had started a fire and also burnt the Rohingyas' boats prepared for escape," he said, quoting an uncle in the area.

"I heard the authorities had been able to control the situation in other towns but not Myay Bone yet."