Myanmar security forces have been increased in and around the Rakhine State town of Thandwe following an outbreak of anti-Muslim violence on Sunday evening, Win Myaing, the secretary of the Documentation Information Department for the Rakhine State Government told Mizzima.
He added that a curfew had been put in place in line with Section 144 of the Penal Code*, and said that calm had been restored to the seaport town.
“We will handle this situation effectually and in accordance with the law to prevent these incidents happening in future,” said Win Myaing.
Two men from Thandwe have been charged with rape, the incident which allegedly sparked a mob of Rakhine Buddhists to set light to at least three Muslim properties in the neighborhood of Ann Daw.
Other estimates put the number of Muslim properties destroyed at eight and as high as 11.
Local residents said the families owning the houses which were burnt down had left unhurt and fled to stay at relatives’ houses nearby.
* The official translation of Chapter VIII (Offences against Public Tranquility) of Myanmar’s Penal Code, Section 144, reads: “Whoever, being armed with any deadly weapon, or with anything which used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, is a member of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished with imprisonment of their description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”
