Sectarian violence in Shan State’s Lashio, following reports that a Muslim man torched a Buddhist woman with gasoline, is politically motivated, according to Shan politicians.
Although the reason behind was unclear, the Muslim man reportedly doused the woman with gasoline and set her alight. Following the news, an angry Buddhist mob started attacks on mosque, an orphanage school, houses and some shops belonging to ethnic Muslims as well as non-Muslims in the city center of Lashio.
“The violence coincides with the KIA-government peace talk. We are sad for what happening. We dislike this kind of situation. It calls into question if this kind of violence is systematically planned or just a coincidence. It is still very unclear. But obviously, it is an unwanted event,” Sai Leik, spokesman for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) told SHAN.
The violence may have been fueled by external elements, said Sai Myint Maung, senior Shan member of the National League for Democracy in Lashio.
“They have been waiting for the chance to stir up trouble since a couple of months ago. And when the news broke, they just took the opportunity. We have been living in Lashio for over 6 decades, there has never been such a violence among different religious and ethnic differences such as Shan, Bamar, Chinese and Indian. This phenomenon I believe is politically motivated,” he told SHAN.
“It is important that young people stay away from the riot scenes,” a Lashio native young man.
Yesterday morning, violence erupted again between Buddhist mobs and Muslims at the Lashio railway station. The mob attackers burned down houses and used blades in the attacks, he said.
Lashio authorities have increased security in the city and prohibited people passing through the burned mosque. It is also reported that people who live in the town are now worried for their safety.
On Tuesday evening around 4.00 pm local time, Ma Aye Aye Win, 38, a Buddhist, daughter of U Maung Maung Win, local administrator for No: 15 area at Quarter number 8 in Lashio, was doused with gasoline and set alight by Ko San Win, a Muslim and holder of Burmese ID card from Kengtung. This occurrence subsequently resulted in violence between Buddhists and Muslims in large scale to burning down of a mosque, an orphanage, 8 apartment rooms, 2 ethnic Chinese houses, and 1 ethnic Gurkha house.
Burmese authorities responded with issuance of Section 144 of penal code, which prohibits people to go out on the streets between 6.00 pm to 6.00 am and not to gather more than 5 people.
The scenario in the Lashio city is now quiet with all shops closed and regular business activities are being stopped. It has also been reported that until Wednesday evening there are 1 dead and 4 injured.
“The mobs are made up of ethnic Burmans,” said a Shan community leader. “Shans Palaungs and others have been strongly advised not to participate.”
Meanwhile, the SNLD has today issued a statement expressing "gravest concern" about the situation and urged all citizens of Shan State not to take part in the disturbances.
