Myanmar president calls for cooperation in exposing riot instigators

Myanmar President U Thein Sein Monday called on the people to cooperate with the government in exposing instigators of the recent sectarian riot that took place in the second largest city of Mandalay.

In his radio speech nationwide at night, U Thein Sein condemned the riot inciters, saying that the unrest was designed on purpose by a particular group to create hatre between the two communities aimed at destroying the human society.

He praised Mandalay residents from various religious groups for being able to stop the riot as the city has a tradition of peaceful coexistence among residents of different religions.

He urged to learn lessons from the Mandalay riot to ensure that such incident would not recur in other parts of the country.

Sectarian riot broke out in Mandalay on July 1 over an alleged rape case, in which two people died and 17 other were injured.

In connection with the riot, 16 people have so far been charged.

Following the riot, all seven townships in Mandalay have been placed under curfew since July 3.

A total of 346 people were arrested and charged for violation of curfew order. Among them, 145 have been released.