Cemetery arsonists arrested
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Mandalay Police promptly issued arrest warrants for suspected arsonists and rounded up seven suspects involved in unruly activities at a Muslim cemetery, where the funeral service of riot victim Tun Tun took place.
Police invoke Sections 505 (b) and (c) and 254/147 of the Penal Code in a bid to quell the Friday’s disturbance that broke out in connection with the funeral procession.
A police commander in charge of the district police forces said suspects for unruly activities and setting fire at the cemetery would face charges for religious desecration, agitating the public, disturbing peace and inciting sectarian conflict.
“Warrants have been issued for those who set fire to the non-Buddhist cemetery. Those wreaking havoc and wielding knives and sticks have been arrested after the funeral on Nan Shay 15th Street. We are searching for those fleeing the scene,” said the police commander.
On Friday, some 10,000 mourners took part in the funeral procession for Tun Tun at Ayeyeiknyein (Kyarnikan) cemetery.
The funeral turned unruly and some knife-wielding crowds attacked and set fire at the nearby cemetery for Muslims.
Police kept a close watch for the funeral. They rounded up rioters at Nan Shay 15th Street, 66th Street and 61st Street.
At the funeral, vehicles formed the procession convoy. Some mourners sang the national anthem and shouted out that Tun Tun was brutally killed. The gory picture depicting Tun Tun lying in blood pool was displayed at the side of the coffin-bearing vehicle.
Some procession participants threw stones, damaging a car and a motorbike parked along the way.
When the procession reached the foot of Mt Mandalay, mourners wielded sticks and knives, sang national anthem and shouted hate slogans.
Onlookers cheered the funeral procession and offered water and soft drinks.
Mourners made noisy demonstration and burned down a cemetery of another religious faith.
