More security after ethnic Burma unrest

Published on 30/10/2012 00:00

Burma’s government has boosted security in a western state hit by ethnic and sectarian unrest, as the number of displaced people rose to 28,000, mostly Muslims.

The latest violence between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, which began nine days ago, has killed at least 84 people and injured 129 more, according to the government. Human rights groups believe the true toll could be far higher.

Rakhine state spokesman Myo Thant said security had been stepped up, with additional police and soldiers deployed.

UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Burma Ashok Nigam said the figure of 28,000 displaced was likely to rise as some people who fled affected areas along the coast by boat had yet to be counted. An estimated 27,300 of the displaced are Muslims.

The long-brewing conflict is rooted in a dispute over the Muslim residents’ origin. Although many Rohingya have lived in Burma for generations, they are widely denigrated as outsiders who came from neighbouring Bangladesh.