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Burma Muslim-Buddhist clashes continue in Shan state Burma Muslim-Buddhist clashes continue in Shan state
(about 2 hours later)
Buddhist youths have attacked Muslim properties for a second day in the northern Burmese town of Lashio, according to state media. Violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims have continued for a second day in the northern Burmese town of Lashio, according to state media.
Young men and boys armed with sticks have been roaming the streets in search of Muslim residents, reports say. Young men and boys armed with sticks roamed the streets in search of Muslim residents to attack, reports say.
Police said at least one person had died and Muslim-owned houses and businesses had been set alight.Police said at least one person had died and Muslim-owned houses and businesses had been set alight.
The clashes were sparked by rumours that a Muslim man had attacked a Buddhist woman.The clashes were sparked by rumours that a Muslim man had attacked a Buddhist woman.
He was accused of dousing her with fuel and setting her on fire at a petrol station.He was accused of dousing her with fuel and setting her on fire at a petrol station.
Buildings torchedBuildings torched
Recent months have seen a number of clashes between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Burma.Recent months have seen a number of clashes between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Burma.
The violence in Lashio, the capital of Burma's north-eastern Shan state, has spread from western and central regions where tens of thousands of Muslims have been driven from their homes.The violence in Lashio, the capital of Burma's north-eastern Shan state, has spread from western and central regions where tens of thousands of Muslims have been driven from their homes.
The unrest - the extent of which remains unclear - reportedly erupted when police refused to hand over to a crowd the man accused of setting the Buddhist woman alight. The unrest reportedly erupted when police refused to hand over to a crowd the man accused of setting the Buddhist woman alight.
The woman had been taken to hospital and the man was in police custody, reports said. The authorities have imposed a curfew in the town, according to residents.The woman had been taken to hospital and the man was in police custody, reports said. The authorities have imposed a curfew in the town, according to residents.
The fresh outbreak of clashes on Wednesday came despite claims from the authorities that soldiers and police had restored calm.The fresh outbreak of clashes on Wednesday came despite claims from the authorities that soldiers and police had restored calm.
Four people were wounded in fighting that began at about 14:00 local time (07:30 GMT), presidential spokesman Ye Htut said in a Facebook post.Four people were wounded in fighting that began at about 14:00 local time (07:30 GMT), presidential spokesman Ye Htut said in a Facebook post.
One man was "hacked to death", he was reported as saying by the news agency AFP. Police fired guns to disperse rioters.One man was "hacked to death", he was reported as saying by the news agency AFP. Police fired guns to disperse rioters.
A Muslim orphanage and a mosque were thought to be among the buildings torched. A Muslim orphanage and a mosque were thought to be among the buildings torched. The Associated Press said Buddhist monks were taking part in the unrest.
Many Buddhists and Muslims stayed locked inside their homes and shops were closed across the town.
"Damaging religious buildings and creating religious riots is inappropriate for the democratic society we are trying to create,'' Ye Htut said on Facebook."Damaging religious buildings and creating religious riots is inappropriate for the democratic society we are trying to create,'' Ye Htut said on Facebook.
"Any criminal act will be dealt with according to the law.""Any criminal act will be dealt with according to the law."
Wave of violenceWave of violence
In March, at least 43 people - mostly Muslim - died in violence that erupted after an argument at a Muslim-owned shop in the central town of Meiktila. In March, at least 43 people - mostly Muslims - died in violence that erupted after an argument at a Muslim-owned shop in the central town of Meiktila.
The owner of the shop and nine other Muslims were imprisoned last month for that outbreak of violence. As yet no Buddhists have been convicted over the Meiktila clashes.The owner of the shop and nine other Muslims were imprisoned last month for that outbreak of violence. As yet no Buddhists have been convicted over the Meiktila clashes.
Ethnic violence in Rakhine state last year left nearly 200 people dead and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.Ethnic violence in Rakhine state last year left nearly 200 people dead and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
The conflict that erupted in Rakhine involved Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognised as Burmese citizens.The conflict that erupted in Rakhine involved Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognised as Burmese citizens.
The communities remain largely segregated in the wake of the violence, with many displaced Rohingya Muslims living in tents or temporary camps.The communities remain largely segregated in the wake of the violence, with many displaced Rohingya Muslims living in tents or temporary camps.
Human rights groups have criticised Burmese authorities for being complicit in the persecution of the Rohingya.Human rights groups have criticised Burmese authorities for being complicit in the persecution of the Rohingya.