Nine killed in Myanmar sectarian attack

Rakhine is home to Myanmars largest concentration of Muslims,but their presence is often resented by the Buddhist majority. The resentment is particularly sharp for Rohingya Muslims,whose roots date back to the 19th century when they were brought to the country as labourers by colonial power Britain.

Ko Kyaw Lay,a Muslim human rights activist in the region who belongs to an opposition party,said none of those killed were Rohingyas.

Police could not immediately confirm details of the violence. An investigation is underway but I cant give you any further details, said a police official.

Myanmar is one of Southeast Asias most ethnically diverse countries,where sectarian and ethnic tension persists despite a new political climate and broad reforms by a civilian-led government that says it has made peace and national unity a priority since it replaced a military junta 15 months ago.