SPDC at last admits deaths in Kyaukse in central Burma

DVB ( 31 October 2003 )

The SPDC has admitted on 30 October that some people were killed in recent anti-Muslim riots in Kyaukse District, Mandalay Division and that it is still imposing curfew on the area.

Although the regime admitted that some people were killed and some buildings were destroyed in the ‘unfortunate circumstance’, it still fails to give the exact number of the dead and wounded.

According to the statistics collected by DVB, at least 11 people were killed and many buildings were destroyed in Kyaukse alone.

One monk was killed by the security forces in Mandalay during a recent clash between protesting monks and the soldiers who came to control them. The monks were angry that one of their abbots, Reverend Werathu was arrested by the authorities for revealing the dirty tricks of the government in the continuing anti-Muslim ‘religious’ riots.

Security has been tight in the western part of Mandalay where the clash occurred, especially around the New Masoeyein Monastery where Reverend Werathu resided.

The authorities haven’t withdrawn the state of emergency curfew and people are barred from celebrating the traditional Kahtein (alms giving) Festival.

The situation at Thinganggyun Township, Rangoon is said to be tense with security forces and armed soldiers on the streets.

Many Burmese people believe that the military authority, the SPDC created these so-called ‘religious riots’ to divert people’s attention from the dire political and economical situation in Burma.