Arrests as nationalist, Muslim fight

YANGON: Police arrested several Buddhist nationalists on Thursday for inciting violence after at least one man was left injured in a confrontation with local Muslims in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.

Police issued arrest warrants for seven people including two monks — among dozens of hardliners who stormed into Mingalar Taung Nyunt township hunting for “illegal” Rohingya Muslims.

Officers fired warning shots to break up the scuffles.

The incident comes as nationalists from Myanmar’s Buddhist majority have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to the country’s Muslims.

The Rohingya, a group of more than a million Muslims who live mainly in western Rakhine state, are particularly maligned as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and their movements are heavily restricted.

Earlier on Thursday the nationalists held a press conference defending their actions and demanding the authorities investigate the case.

At least two people have been arrested out of seven who have been charged with incitement to commit violence, which carries a sentence of up to two years in prison.

“About three lay men were arrested by police this evening,” a local police officer said on condition of anonymity.

“Warrants have been issued to arrest seven people altogether, including two monks, U Thu Seitta and U Pyin Nyar Wuntha,” he added, using an honorific.

However, local media reported that two people had been arrested.

Nationalists in Yangon have held protests, stopped Islamic religious ceremonies and most recently forced two schools to close temporarily over accusations they were illegally doubling up as mosques in recent months.

Tensions have boiled over since militants attacked police posts in northern Rakhine, sparking a brutal army crackdown that has sent more than 70,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.