Arrests made over Thandwe rape case

Arrests made over Thandwe rape case

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin   |   Thursday, 04 July 2013

Two Muslim men have reportedly been arrested and charged with the rape of a young Buddhist girl in Rakhine's Thandwe district – an attack which sparked nationalist mob violence and saw at least 14 homes destroyed.

U Win Myaing, secretary of the Information and Record Committee in Rakhine State, confirmed the arrests had been made and that the men were being held in police custody.

The Myanmar Times spoke with local residents who said the section 144 curfew put in place following the attack had failed to curb mob violence, with two bus stations being set alight on the night of June 1.

U Win Myaing stated that only one house was burned during the unrest, and claimed a Muslim man to have deliberately set his own property ablaze.

"One Muslim burned his house himself after moving his properties to other place on June 30, but did not spread to other places, security forces could maintain in time," U Win Myaing said.

No arrests have been made over the looting and arson, despite sources telling The Myanmar Times they recognised several culprits and could provide names.

Local resident Win Han Thein said he wanted authorities to investigate the arson attacks thoroughly.

"They were people that my friends and people living in the neighbourhood recognised," he said.

"They were throwing rocks and carrying knives to terrify people. Many of us saw who they were."

U Win Myaing added that the authorities were taking "necessary measures" to ensure peace and stability in Thandwe Township.

"State government is trying to maintain stability in accordance with the law to prevent violence happening," he added.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/04/arrests-made-over-thandwe-rape-case/