Burmese Muslims urge government to improve security

RANGOON, Burma – Burma's four largest Muslim organisations wrote the government Wednesday (October 2nd) requesting protection after Buddhist mobs killed at least four Muslims and burned houses and a mosque in Thandwe, media reported.

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  Muslim residents stand beside their destroyed shop in Thabyu Chai village near Thandwe, Rakhine on Wednesday (October 2nd). Muslims called for the Burmese government to provide better security in the wake of fresh communal unrest that killed at least four and destroyed scores of homes and shops. [Soe Than Win/AFP]

  
  

"We demand that the government ensures the rule of law in order to protect us," the organisations said in a statement, adding the community was living in a "high state of fear", The Nation reported.

The latest episode of communal violence in Rakhine ignited Saturday and spread to surrounding villages Tuesday. Thandwe police told The Nation four were dead and 50 more were injured, but AFP reported the death toll at five. Estimates on the destruction wrought by the 800-strong Buddhist mob ranged from about 60 houses burned to at least 100.

President Thein Sein visited Rakhine on Tuesday for the first time since taking office. He visited a different area of the state, populated mostly by Rohingya, AFP reported.

In a message to a multi-faith conference carried in state media Wednesday, Thein Sein said "instigations fuel minor crimes into conflicts between the two communities and two religions".

"Such instability based on religion and race harms and delays the state reforms and tarnishes the national image internationally," he added.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/09/burmese-muslims-urge-government-to-improve-security/