Myanmar imposes curfew on 3 townships in Bago region

Myanmar local authorities on Tuesday night imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) on three townships in central Bago region -- Gyopingauk, Minhla and Okpho following violence in the areas on Monday, state TV reported.The three townships are the latest series hit by communal violence in a week after Meikhtila, Yemethin and Tatkon in northern Mandalay region.The curfew bans gathering of more than five people, making speech, procession and demonstration.The curfew was issued as unidentified groups of mob stormed houses, religious buildings and shops in the three areas, the report said.The violence occurred in the three townships as Meikhtila is returning to normalcy after a state of emergency was declared in the township on March 22 with the intervention of the army to help bring about peace in the area.Meanwhile, rumors spread about imminent violence in Mingala Taungnyunt township in Yangon Monday afternoon, causing panic of people in a huge market there.Following the rumors, the Myanmar government's Information Team issued a statement saying that the government will take steps to control and address all forms of violence including instigation that lead to racial and religious tension in accordance with the existing laws and the state constitution.The statement voiced providing riot victims with emergency accommodation and full security.The government will also hold workshops aimed at rebuilding trust between communities hit by the conflicts.The statement called for avoiding acts of violence and religious extremism that could disrupt the country's democratization process and development tasks.To prevent the occurrence of violence in Yangon amid rumors, Myanmar local township authorities on Monday initially imposed restriction on business hours of shops in some four townships in the city -- Tamwe, Pazundaung, Mingla Taung Nyunt and Thakayta, ordering them to close after 9 p.m. local time.Meanwhile, the Myanmar police force has claimed arrest of a total of 35 suspects linked with Meikhtila and Yemethin riots with 10 more suspects in this connection being wanted.The riot was sparked by a brawl between buyers and sellers over a bit of gold clip at a gold shop in Meikhtila on March 20, in which 40 people were killed and 39 others injured with 152 houses, one education office and 13 religious buildings were burnt and 2 motor vehicles and three motor cycles being destroyed.Relief and rehabilitation work have been underway in the riot- hit Meikhtila where six relief camps have been set up.