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Journalism of Courage
Myanmar authorities detained a dozen rioters on Sunday a day after clashes between Buddhists and minority Muslims in the northern region of Sagaing,police said,in the latest widening of sectarian violence in the former military-run state.
Witnesses said between 500 and 1,000 Buddhists,some carrying sticks and swords,attacked Muslim houses in Htan Kone village on Saturday,setting some buildings on fire.
The mob torched dozens of homes and shops following rumours that a Muslim man tried to sexually assault a young woman,officials and witnesses said Sunday.
Police and soldiers arrived in the evening and fired into the air to disperse the crowds,they said.
We have arrested altogether 12 people from the mob and they were transferred to a district station, police sergeant Win Nyi said.
The violence in the rugged region about 665 km from Yangon shows how far anti-Muslim anger has spread in the country. WIth PTI
