Myanmar’s president has lifted a state of emergency put in place in the central part of the country after Buddhist-led mobs went on a rampage, killing dozens of Muslims and burning down their shops and homes.
President Thein Sein has sought during a European tour to assure that sectarian violence gripping Myanmar in the last year is under control.
The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the decision to lift the 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in the battle-scarred townships of Meikhtila, Mahlaing, Wundwin and Thazi on Saturday indicates “peace and stability” have been restored.
The violence in Meikhtila was sparked by a quarrel at a Muslim-owned gold shop March 20. Violence escalated after a Buddhist monk was killed near a mosque. At least 44 people were killed.
