A mosque, an orphanage, homes and shops were set
ablaze by mobs in Lashio in Shan State on Tuesday evening, after rumours
spread of a Buddhist gasoline saleswoman having been ‘torched' by a
Muslim man.
Firemen fight a blaze in Lashio, May 28. Image via Ye Htut, Facebook
China’s Xinhua News Agency reports the man who allegedly set fire to the woman at about 4pm on Tuesday afternoon was from Kengtung township.
A large group of Lashio residents are said to have gone to the police station to demand that the culprit be turned over. After this did not happen, a mob of around 150 reportedly began to loot and set fire to buildings including an orphanage and the town’s largest mosque shortly after 8pm.
While the full extent of the damage is not yet entirely clear, Myanmar news site Myanmar News Now (Thit Htoo Lwin) posted images online of the burning mosque and several razed buildings. There have been no reported fatalities.
Reports emerged overnight of phone lines across Lashio being down, but this is yet to be confirmed with the telecommunications ministry.
The government moved to issue a statement condemning the violence via presidential spokesman Ye Htut’s Facebook page, saying that “any criminal act will be dealt with according to the law”.
"Damaging religious buildings and creating religious riots is inappropriate for the democratic society we are trying to create”, the statement continued.
The update confirmed two religious buildings and some shops in Lashio had been burned, but did not specify any further details.
Chinese state media have reported the 48-year-old alleged arsonist was found to have stimulant tablets on him when taken into police custody.
A large group of Lashio residents are said to have gone to the police station to demand that the culprit be turned over. After this did not happen, a mob of around 150 reportedly began to loot and set fire to buildings including an orphanage and the town’s largest mosque shortly after 8pm.
While the full extent of the damage is not yet entirely clear, Myanmar news site Myanmar News Now (Thit Htoo Lwin) posted images online of the burning mosque and several razed buildings. There have been no reported fatalities.
Reports emerged overnight of phone lines across Lashio being down, but this is yet to be confirmed with the telecommunications ministry.
The government moved to issue a statement condemning the violence via presidential spokesman Ye Htut’s Facebook page, saying that “any criminal act will be dealt with according to the law”.
"Damaging religious buildings and creating religious riots is inappropriate for the democratic society we are trying to create”, the statement continued.
The update confirmed two religious buildings and some shops in Lashio had been burned, but did not specify any further details.
Chinese state media have reported the 48-year-old alleged arsonist was found to have stimulant tablets on him when taken into police custody.
The
female victim of the inciting incident is reportedly recovering in
hospital. Pictures, apparently of the woman and her injuries, have been
posted on Facebook by controversial monk Wira Thu.
A Section 144 curfew is now in place for Lashio, which prohibits public gatherings, marches and protests. Authorities saying the situation was brought under control overnight, but many of the town's Muslim residents say they remain fearful of retaliatory attacks.
– with agencies
A Section 144 curfew is now in place for Lashio, which prohibits public gatherings, marches and protests. Authorities saying the situation was brought under control overnight, but many of the town's Muslim residents say they remain fearful of retaliatory attacks.
– with agencies
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