Live streams

Burma Sending Army to Quell Sectarian Fighting

People carry weapons during riots in Meikhtila, Burma, Mar. 22, 2013.

Burma Town Under Curfew after Religious Violence

TEXT SIZE - +

Daniel Schearf

March 22, 2013

BANGKOK — Burma is sending the army to quell spreading sectarian unrest in the center of the country. The announcement came on the third day of fighting between Buddhists and Muslims that left at least 20 people dead and scores injured.

Burmese President Thein Sein Friday declared a state of emergency in four townships in the central part of the country to prevent deadly communal fighting and looting from spreading.

Burma's state television, MRTV-4, made the late afternoon announcement amid reports of continued clashes between armed groups of Buddhists and Muslims.

A crowd in Meikhitla, Burma loots merchandise from a shop, Mar. 22, 2013. (VOA)

The news reader said the order covered Meikhtila, Wan Twin, Ma Hlaing,and Thar Si townships.

He says in order to be more effective in controlling the situation, they will get help from the army. This order, he says, will be effective until further notice.

A spokesperson from the office of Burma's president released a statement saying that despite the army's involvement the president has not declared martial law.

The area where fighting has been occurring is about 150 kilometers south of Mandalay.

Clashes broke out in Meikhtila Wednesday after a dispute between a Muslim gold shop owner and a Buddhist customer got physical and groups of people took sides.

Locals say hundreds of angry Muslims and Buddhists fought on the streets armed with knives and clubs, burned houses, and looted shops.

One man begged looters not to set fire to his business. He asked them just to take what they want.

State media have been portraying the clashes as simply criminal without mentioning the fighting between religious divisions. At the Meikhtila police station Friday, one local officer who answered the phone claimed the situation was under control.

Meanwhile, online images are circulating of charred bodies and burning homes and vehicles.

A local reporter in the township reached by phone described a chaotic scene.

"One thing is sure, law and order doesn't work. And then, what [the] government announces and the ground situation is totally different," said the reporter.

Burma is a majority Buddhist nation but with numerous ethnic and religious minorities.

Tensions between Buddhists and Muslims have erupted in the past into violence and are still simmering over fighting last year.

In Burma's western Rakhine state clashes between Buddhists and Muslims left close to 200 people dead and 120,000 left homeless.

International concerns are being expressed that, if the communal fighting is not properly handled, religious tensions could spread in Burma and disrupt its reform efforts.

You May Like

Afghan President Hamid Karzai receives an honorary degree from his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, second right, at the Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, India, May 20, 2013.

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) speaks with the media as India

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese president Thein Sein took part in a town hall meeting at VOA in Washington, DC, May 19, 2013. (Alison Klein for VOA)

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.

Comment Sorting

Comments

by: nasim khan from: kolkata

March 22, 2013 7:52 AM

Report Comment

Dear Muslim bros of Burma, it is very tough time and we all are very sad to see that the bros are being killed and their properties were destroyed, but keep faith in Allah and do not try do any such thing which may attract more atrocities, be nice and keep focus to get the education to their children who may become successful Doctor, Engineers etc (but one has to be good muslim who likes all)to force their enemies to accept them in future - Insha Allah

by: Prakash Kadam from: India

March 22, 2013 6:53 AM

Report Comment

People of Burma learned peace from Buddha,... not to fight each other...... Gautama will......blessing ......peace....in ....country....hope there will be no violence...in future.

by: ramalingam venkatraju from: india coimbatore 1

March 22, 2013 6:48 AM

Report Comment

why humans forget humanism, why very offen islamic do voilent ,very ,frequently, world wide, are others not human beings

by: dhrao from: india

March 22, 2013 6:35 AM

Report Comment

where ever Muslims are there in world they will not adjust with majority with no tolerance and hate for other religions

by: Richard1967 from: sheffield

March 22, 2013 6:28 AM

Report Comment

Oh the irony , religion strikes again

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.

Video

Valley Fever Raises Concerns in California, Arizona

A longstanding health problem in California's Central Valley has worsened in recent years, leading health officials to order the relocation of 3,000 prisoners from two state prisons. But the disease affects much of the population in some rural communities and, Mike O'Sullivan reports, while it often goes unnoticed, it sometimes can be devastating for patients.