13 held over deadly riots

“So far we have arrested 13 alleged instigators for inciting the crowd to violence and we will continue to expose accomplices and arrest them,” Tun Naing said. 

“We are now questioning those arrested about whether or not they are linked to external armed groups,” he said, adding that more investigations will follow based on the information gathered by interrogation. 

The riots broke out after an argument at a gold shop in Meikhtila between its Muslim owner and Buddhist customers on March 20. The riots prompted authorities to impose a curfew and then a state of emergency on March 22.  Forty people were killed, scores injured and about 10,000 people displaced by the three days of rioting, state media reported.

In total, 66 people carrying weapons, such as knives and sticks, were arrested, of whom 53 were released on bail.  Police also detained 17 people over the violence in Mandalay region’s Yame Thin township and five in Lewe township, official reports said. 

“An investigation commission was set up to probe the violence. After a review, we can say that the incident was created to incite communal unrest and violence,” said Mandalay region Chief Minister Ye Myint. 

“No one can deny that there are people or organisations working behind the scenes [to incite violence]. Now, authorities have traced them and they will be exposed,” he told Eleven Media on Sunday.