Authorities probe for motive of Lashio violence
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Myanmar's authorities have begun investigating whether a Muslim man who allegedly set a Buddhist woman on fire in Lashio was motivated by the desire to provoke rioting that ensued in the town.
The man splashed fuel on the woman and set her alight on Tuesday, and he will also be charged for using illegal drugs if, as suspected, he tests positive for illegal drugs, said Moe Zaw Lin, Lashio Township Police Officer-in-charge.
The suspect, named as Nay Win, aged 48 from Kengtung town, faces more serious charges if he is convicted of intentionally provoking the riots.
Aye Aye Win, aged 24, received severe burns all over her body after the quarrel with Nay Win on Tuesday but is not in a critical condition, say doctors at the hospital where she is being treated.
After the attack, a mob comprising Aye Aye Win’s relatives and several locals gathered in front of No 1 Police Station, shouting for Nay Win to be handed over to them. The angry residents then began burning shops and mosques in the town.
“We will take strict action according to the law against [Nay Win] as well as the local rioters who destroyed the mosques, shops and homes in Lashio,” said Officer Moe Zaw Lin.
Fellow officer Win Tun said residents were slack when it came to obeying the rule of law, and vulnerable to incitement.
