Two killed in Buddhist-Muslim riots following an internet rumour that a Buddhist girl was raped by a Muslim man.Last updated: 03 Jul 2014 11:24
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Myanmar has been racked by violence between the two communities since June 2012 [REUTERS]
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Two people have been killed during clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar's second-largest city of Mandalay, police said. Police imposed an overnight curfew on Thursday after angry mobs rampaged through Mandalay for a second straight night leaving a Muslim and a Budhist man dead. "Two men were killed" in attacks late Wednesday and into Thursday, Zaw Min Oo, a senior police officer in Mandalay, told AFP. The reported deaths came a day after reports of five people being injured during secratarian clashes. "One policeman, three Buddhists and one Muslim were injured by stones in the incident," Mandalay police said in a statement late on Tuesday. "Two of the three injured Buddhist men are receiving treatment in Mandalay hospital and the rest got treatment as outpatients." the statement said. A witness who lives in the mostly Muslim neighbourhood said a Buddhist mob had gathered late on Tuesday after rumours spread that the Muslim owner of a tea shop had raped a Buddhist woman. No evidence of such an attack was immediately available. Police stood between the groups and tried to drive the Buddhists away, the witness said. "The police and the crowd fought each other and the crowd threw stones at the police," he said. He said the Buddhist mob ransacked shops and burned vehicles before police managed to restore order, but that at 6 am local time Buddhists were still driving through the neighbourhood shouting at residents. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowds that were facing off in the streets. A local journalist told Al Jazeera that several Muslim shops were destroyed and that some people had been wounded in knife attacks. The main market in town remained closed on Wednesday. In a radio address on Thursday, President Thein Sein raised the country's need for stability as it transitions to democracy from a half-century of military rule, but did not mention Mandalay specifically. "For reforms to be successful, I would like to urge all to avoid instigation and behavior that incites hatred in our fellow citizens," Sein said. Myanmar has been wracked by violence between the two communities since June 2012. More than 200 people have been killed and at least 140,000 displaced. Most of the victims have been Muslim. |
Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/07/myanmar-police-break-up-sectarion-riots-20147235217925458.html
Leader of right-wing Bodu Bala Sena is accused of provocative speeches that lead to deadly violence last month.Dinouk ColombageLast updated: 03 Jul 2014 13:16
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Gnanasara has denied charges and blamed Muslim leaders for the June violence [File - EPA]
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Sri Lankan police have questioned controversial Buddhist monk after he was accused of provoking deadlyanti-Muslim riots in the ethnically divided nation, officials have said. The country's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) grilled the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or Army of Buddhist Forces, Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara, and its National Organiser, Witharandeniye Nanda on Wednesday. Police believes Gnanasara gave controversial speeches in the coastal town of Aluthgama that led to widespread anti-Muslim riots in which four people were killed, and scores injured. Police spokesperson, Ajith Rohana, said that duo was summoned to "help with the investigations". He said 119 people, including 95 Sinhalese and 24 Muslims, have been arrested in connection with the riots. So far, 92 individuals have been produced in court. After the questioning, Gnanasara denied charges and blamed the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Justice Minister for the violence. He said that there was reasonable suspicion that Rauff Hakeem was behind the attacks in the resort towns of Aluthgama and Beruwela. But the General Secretary of SLMC, Hassan Ali, rejected the monk's accusation saying that his party was cooperating in the police investigation that would ensure justice for those affected in the violence. The monk also accused the police and human rights activists of portraying the BBS as "terrorists" and not paying attention to the "real issues". Gnanasara said that it was the sole right of the Sinhalese Buddhist to protect Sri Lanka from all other forces. Senior members of the government have, meanwhile, joined the calls for Gnanasara's arrest. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, said: "He is a clear suspect in the recent riots, the police must arrest him and the other members of the BBS if they wish to curtail the growing religious violence in the country." He said the police had taken the right step in questioning Gnanasara but it must do more. |
Source:
Al Jazeera
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http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/07/sri-lanka-quizzes-monk-over-anti-muslim-riots-20147312386658616.html