Burma: Curfew imposed in bid to halt violence

BURMESE authorities have imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three districts after anti-Muslim religious violence touched new parts of the country, edging closer to the main city of Rangoon.

State television yesterday reported incidents in the three townships in Bago region, all within 100 miles of Rangoon.

The unrest began with a riot a week ago in the city of Meiktila, sparked by a dispute between a Muslim gold shop owner and his Buddhist customers. The death toll yesterday reached 40.