Myanmar curfew as violence spreads
Source: Agencies |
March 27, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTHORITIES in Myanmar imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three townships yesterday after anti-Muslim religious violence touched new parts of the country, edging closer to the main city of Yangon.
State television reported incidents in the three townships in Bago region, all within 150 kilometers of Yangon. The latest attack on Monday was in Gyobingauk, where it said "troublemakers" damaged a religious building, shops and houses.
The report said similar attacks on religious buildings, shops and houses occurred in nearby Otepho and Min Hla on Sunday night. Official reports use the term "religious buildings" in an apparent attempt to dampen passion, though in most cases the targets were reportedly mosques.
The announcement said an emergency law, Section 144, would be applied in the three townships which will ban public assemblies, marches and speeches, and impose a 6pm to 6am curfew.
The religious unrest began with rioting a week ago in the central city of Meikhtila that was sparked by a dispute between a Muslim gold shop owner and his Buddhist customers.
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said yesterday eight more bodies were found in Meikhtila as soldiers cleared devastated areas set ablaze by anti-Muslim mobs during three days of rioting, bringing the death toll to 40.
State television reported incidents in the three townships in Bago region, all within 150 kilometers of Yangon. The latest attack on Monday was in Gyobingauk, where it said "troublemakers" damaged a religious building, shops and houses.
The report said similar attacks on religious buildings, shops and houses occurred in nearby Otepho and Min Hla on Sunday night. Official reports use the term "religious buildings" in an apparent attempt to dampen passion, though in most cases the targets were reportedly mosques.
The announcement said an emergency law, Section 144, would be applied in the three townships which will ban public assemblies, marches and speeches, and impose a 6pm to 6am curfew.
The religious unrest began with rioting a week ago in the central city of Meikhtila that was sparked by a dispute between a Muslim gold shop owner and his Buddhist customers.
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said yesterday eight more bodies were found in Meikhtila as soldiers cleared devastated areas set ablaze by anti-Muslim mobs during three days of rioting, bringing the death toll to 40.
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