Death toll reach to 100 in Myanmar ethnic violence
Sittwe (Myanmar): The death toll from recent ethnic violence in Myanmar has surpassed 100, an official said on Friday. Government warned that the strife risks harming the country’s reputation as it seeks to install democratic rule.
In June, ethnic violence in the state left at least 90 people dead and destroyed more than 3,000 homes. About 75,000 have been living in refugee camps ever since.
The mob violence has seen entire villages torched and has drawn international calls for government intervention.
“As the international community is closely watching Myanmar’s democratic transition, such unrest could tarnish the image of the country,” said a statement from the office of President Thein Sein published on Friday in the state-run Myanma Ahlin newspaper.
“The army, police, and authorities in cooperation with local people will try to restore peace and stability and will take legal action against any individual or organisation that is trying to instigate the unrest,” the statement warned.
A statement issued late on Thursday by the office of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the latest violence as “deeply troubling.” He called on Myanmar authorities “to take urgent and effective action to bring all cases of lawlessness under control.”
