Police in Myanmar's western Bago Region trying to prevent attacks on Muslim neighborhoods from spreading to other towns have started 24-hour patrols. They are also receiving regular updates to try to stop attacks before they occur.
Five suspects have been detained for allegedly taking part in the destruction of Muslim mosques and properties last weekend in Okpo Township in western Bago Region. Attacks also happened in the townships of Gyopingauk and Minhla. Attacks on Muslim properties have been continuing until as recently as Wednesday when thugs destroyed 2 mosques and an estimated 100 homes in Monyo and Padigon; two townships located about 100 miles (170 km) north of Rangoon, according to the Irrawaddy.
These attacks followed unrest in Meikhtila, Yemethin and Tatkon in southern Mandalay region.
The violence started on March 20 after a Buddhist man quarreled with a Muslim gold shop owner in Meikhtila. The government stated that 35 suspects connected with the Meikhtila and Yemethin violence have been apprehended, bringing the total number of people in detention to 40. Police are still searching for more suspects
According to government estimates 40 people have been killed and 39 others were injured in Meikhtila. Mobs destroyed 152 houses, one education office and 13 religious buildings - most were Muslim owned.
Security measures are being taken to prevent the further spread of violence. Following the Meikhtila unrest, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in southern Mandalay. The curfew has been extended to several towns in western Bago Region. These include: Gyopingauk, Minhla and Okpho. The curfew (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) bans gathering of more than five people, public speeches, procession and demonstrations.
The latest curfews come after conditions in Meikhtila have reported to have returned to normal after a state of emergency was declared on March 22. During this time the army was brought in to stop the attacks.
As the violence creeps closer to Yangon, the US pledged to provide about $100,000 US to help the victims of communal riots on Tuesday. The money will be used to provide hygiene kits, blankets and plastic sheeting, as well as emergency water supplies for people fleeing the unrest, according to the State Department’s acting deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell.
