Death toll of Myanmar riot increases to 84

Updated: 2012-10-29 11:27    

YANGON - Death toll with week-long renewed riot in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine has risen to 84 and the number of the injured also jumped to 129 as of Oct 27 from Oct 21, official media reported Monday.

During the fresh riot, 2,950 houses, 14 religious buildings and eight rice mills were burnt down in arson fire.

The riot, which initially spread from Minbya to as many as nine areas covering Mrauk U, Kyauk Phyu, Myaebon, Yathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Yanbye and Thandwe has left more than 20,000 people homeless, local sources said.

The official sources also revealed that legal actions have been taken against 1,058 people involved in the communal violence from June 8 to Oct 26 undermining the stability of the Rakhine state.

According to the report, the renewed riot has been put under control on Oct 27 and the situation there is returning to normalcy, thanks to immediate measures taken by Myanmar police force, the military, state authorities, Buddhist monks and community elders.

More security forces have been deployed to the conflicted areas with increased security measures, the report added.

During the early period of the incident in May-June, altogether 50 people had been  killed, 54 people injured and over 61,462 people victimized. A total of 2,230 houses, 14 religious building were burnt down up to June 14, forcing the victims to take shelter at relief camps.

Rakhine state has been declared since June 10 a state of emergency along with imposition of dusk-to-dawn curfew in six prior townships --  Maungtaw, Buthidaung, Sittway, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu and Yanbye.

The curfew was extended to Kyauktaw on Aug 8 and then to Minbya and Mrauk U on Oct 22 bringing the total number of townships under curfew to nine so far.

 http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-10/29/content_15854009.htm