Mob kills at least nine in Arakan state
Witness says rape and murder of Buddhist girl spurred attack
- John Zaw, Mandalay
- Myanmar
- June 4, 2012
At least nine people were killed in Arakan state in western Myanmar yesterday after a mob of about 100 people stopped a bus and attacked the mostly Muslim passengers, a witness to the violence said today.
Ma Pyone, a resident of Taunggok where the attack took place, said the recent rape and murder of a Rakine girl had inflamed passions and led to the attack.
“At least nine people who were thought to be Muslims from central Myanmar died because of injuries from the beatings, and the bodies were carried to Thandwe last night,” she told ucanews.com by phone from her home.
“The attack happened so quickly and was over within a half hour. Local police and authorities could do nothing to prevent it,” she said.
Dr Aye Maung, a parliamentarian and chairman of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said the violence was a matter of grave concern.
“We are worried about the ongoing religious tensions in the area. Authorities and residents must work to contain it from spreading,” he said.
Aung Zaw Win, a political analyst based in Mandalay, said the attack was indicative of ongoing ethnic and religious strife in Arakan state and could lead to further instability.
Ma Pyone, a resident of Taunggok where the attack took place, said the recent rape and murder of a Rakine girl had inflamed passions and led to the attack.
“At least nine people who were thought to be Muslims from central Myanmar died because of injuries from the beatings, and the bodies were carried to Thandwe last night,” she told ucanews.com by phone from her home.
“The attack happened so quickly and was over within a half hour. Local police and authorities could do nothing to prevent it,” she said.
Dr Aye Maung, a parliamentarian and chairman of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, said the violence was a matter of grave concern.
“We are worried about the ongoing religious tensions in the area. Authorities and residents must work to contain it from spreading,” he said.
Aung Zaw Win, a political analyst based in Mandalay, said the attack was indicative of ongoing ethnic and religious strife in Arakan state and could lead to further instability.
