AP: Riot in Mandalay

Straits Times, Singapore 31.10.2003

Myanmar imposes curfew on riot-hit town

YANGON - Myanmar said yesterday it has imposed a curfew on a central
township after a violent clash between Muslims and Buddhists resulted in an
undisclosed number of casualties in the township and neighbouring Mandalay.

'Recently there have been some disturbances in Mandalay and a few other
places between people professing different faiths,' Myanmar's military
government said in a statement.

'A curfew has been imposed in Kyaukse Township for precautionary measures
after a disturbance took place.'

Radio Free Asia (RFA), citing an eyewitness report, said on Wednesday that
dozens of people, mainly Muslims, died in fires during riots in Kyaukse on
Oct 19. Among the dead were a pregnant woman and a child.

The Washington-based RFA said the eyewitness saw the bodies of people who
had died in the fires.

Yangon would not disclose whether anyone had been killed in the violence,
preferring to use vague language to describe what happened. -- AFP