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Buddhist-led mobs attack aid workers' homes in Myanmar

27 March 2014 - 11:47 By Sapa-AP
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Myanmar Buddhist monks hold signs as they stage a demonstration near the Bangladesh embassy denouncing recent Muslim mob attacks on Buddhist temples in neighbouring Bangladesh, in Yangon on October 8, 2012. The violence in Bangladesh began on September 29 in the southeast of the country and spread to several towns and villages after claims that a young Buddhist man had posted photographs defaming the Koran onto social network website Facebook.
Myanmar Buddhist monks hold signs as they stage a demonstration near the Bangladesh embassy denouncing recent Muslim mob attacks on Buddhist temples in neighbouring Bangladesh, in Yangon on October 8, 2012. The violence in Bangladesh began on September 29 in the southeast of the country and spread to several towns and villages after claims that a young Buddhist man had posted photographs defaming the Koran onto social network website Facebook.
Image: Ye Aung THU

Buddhist-led mobs are throwing stones at the offices of international aid organisations in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, according to aid workers, residents and a government official.

There were no immediate indications Thursday that anyone was hurt in the violence.

The violence began in the state capital, Sittwe, Wednesday night.

State spokesman Win Myaing said up to 300 people surrounded Malteser International late Wednesday following reports that a woman had removed a religious flag flying in front of the office. The organisation has provided aid to Muslim victims of sectarian violence.

He said police fired 40 to 50 warning shots to disperse the crowd.

Residents and aid workers said violence continued Thursday morning, with hundreds of people racing through a street that houses international aid workers, throwing rocks at homes.

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