| by B.Raman
( October 26, 2012, Chennai, Sri
Lanka Guardian) The fresh communal clashes
between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine State of Myanmar,
which broke out on October 21,2012, have worsened despite the induction of
security forces reinforcements by the Government.
 |
The 88 Generation Students group also released a statement calling on all people to work together to resolve this conflict, stressing that a solution must be based on democracy and human rights.
While local Government sources
have put the total number of fatalities so far at 20, a despatch of the
Associated Press of the US has put it at 56. Local sources say that many of the
latest fatalities seem to have occurred due to the security forces opening fire
to bring rioters from both the communities under control. Arson attacks at
nights have reportedly led to the destruction of nearly 2000 houses so far.
The areas worst affected by the
violence and arson attacks are Minbyar,Mrauk-U,Kyaukpyu and Kyauktaw. Reports
from the affected areas indicate that the security forces, though inadequately numbered, have
been trying to protect the Muslims by opening fire on rioting Buddhist mobs
seeking to attack the Muslims. This should account for the sudden increase in
the number of fatalities.
The National League for Democracy
(NLD) of Aung San Suu Kyi issued a
statement on October 25,2012, urging the Government to take further security
measures to stop the ongoing violence
and re-establish peace and security in townships such as Kyaukpyu,
Minbyar, Mrauk-U and Ann.
The 88 Generation Students group
also released a statement calling on all people
to work together to resolve this conflict, stressing that a solution
must be based on democracy and human rights.
File image courtesy : Reuters
File image courtesy : Reuters
(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd),
Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director,
Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, and Associate of the Chennai Centre For
China Studies. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com
Twitter @SORBONNE75)
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