The Myanmar government has added Patheingyi
to the list of six townships under curfew, placing entire Mandalay under a
night-travelling ban since Friday.
Police
have arrested and charged some 100 curfew violators under Section 188 of the
Penal Code since Friday.
Sources
in the Mandalay Region Police said the authorities would open fire if the
crowds turned violent.
The
expansion of the curfew area was prompted by unruly activities at the funeral
of Tun Tun, who was killed in last Wednesday's Mandalay riots.
Following
the funeral, a crowd set fire to the burial ground for Muslims on Friday.
Violence
reportedly erupted in the countryside area. Markets and shops were closed early
due to a rumour about funeral-related mobs.
"We
assumed that the mobs wanted the security forces to disperse so they acted like
rumour mongers to counter the security measures," said Pol Lt-Colonel Zaw
Min Oo from Mandalay region police.
"It
is a funeral so we have to allow [it]. We did not know the problem would that
big. When the number of the people at the funeral increased, we provided them
security.
"We
charged the people who set fire at Ayeyeiknyein cemetery and now they are at
large. We arrested seven people holding sticks, knives and weapons.
"There
were some people who ran away. Now the situation is stable until 10pm. The
locals closed their shops early for their safety.
"What
I want to tell people is we are carrying out the security. We advise the people
not to believe in rumours. Sagaing Police Brigade, ShweSaryan Police Brigade
and Palake Police Brigade are cooperating with local police forces."
Locals
criticised the government's security plan and want the police to further
tighten security.
"The
police are trying to control the violence. If they cannot control the violence
with rubber sticks, they will open fire to prevent further clashes," Zaw
Min Oo said.
"The
curfew allows us to fire to control the violence if needed. We have the
authority to fire."
Mandalay
police have issued arrest warrants for suspected arsonists and rounded up seven
suspects involved in unruly activities at the Muslim cemetery.
Police
invoked sections 505 (b) and (c) and 254/147 of the Penal Code in a bid to
quell Friday's disturbance.
A
police commander in charge of the district police force said suspects would
face charges for religious desecration, agitating the public, disturbing peace
and inciting sectarian conflict.
In
regards to curfew-related incidents, a car and a motorcycle parked near a
mosque on 80th Street were damaged.
On
Friday, some 10,000 mourners took part in the funeral procession for Tun Tun at
Ayeyeiknyein (Kyarnikan) cemetery.
Rumours
spread that mosques were being attacked in downtown Mandalay, prompting markets
and shops to close around 3.00pm.
Police
kept a close watch on the funeral. They rounded up rioters at Nan Shay 15th
Street, 66th Street and 61st Street.
"Warrants
have been issued for those who set fire to the non-Buddhist cemetery," the
police commander said.
"Those
wreaking havoc and wielding knives and sticks have been arrested after the
funeral on Nan Shay 15th Street. We are searching for those who fled the
scene."
Of the
seven suspects arrested for unruly activities, three men were arrested at the
corner of 15th Street and 62nd Street. The other four were apprehended between
63rd Street and 64th Street.
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