11 dead, 14 injured in religious riots in Kyaukse

DVB ( 22 October, 2003 )

Religious riots erupted between Buddhists and Muslims in Kyaukse, Mandalay Division, 19 October evening killing 11 people and seriously injuring 14 others. A one-year old child was among the dead and the injured were taken to Kyaukse Hospital for treated.

The riots, which broke out on 19 October evening at 1800 [local time], subsequently came under control at about 2300 when Mandalay-based four army companies including No 14 Police Lone Htein [Riot] Battalion, arrived.

Two Muslim mosques, two big stores, 26 houses, and some cars and bicycles were torched and destroyed. Kyaukse Township police personnel and Pyithu Swan Arr Shin [people's voluntary forces] members who tried to control the riots were struck by catapults and rocks. One deputy superintendent of police and one Swan Arr Shin member were wounded in the attack.

Although no one knows how the religious riots started, it has been learned that authorities have cut off telephone links and have issued a temporary state of emergency in Kyaukse. Furthermore, a Mandalay resident told DVB buses plying between Mandalay and Kyaukse have been stopped.

The Mandalay resident also said that local authorities have issued warnings to people residing near a Muslim Mosque in Mandalay since last night. When similar religious riots broke out in Kyaukse District on 10 October authorities had to issue a temporary curfew.