Muslims find shelter in Buddhist monastery in Myanmar

2013-05-30 398

Hundreds of Muslim families take shelter in a heavily guarded Buddhist monastery in northern Myanmar after two days of violence left Muslim properties in ruins and raised alarm over a widening religious conflict.

Some say the attackers came from outside the community.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) MUSLIM WOMAN, NYO NYO KHAING, SAYING:

"I don't think the attackers are the people who live near us. No one in our community thinks they are our neighbors. I know the people in my neighborhood and I think the mob was from some place else."

Homes and businesses were destroyed in attacks.

Authorities say one man was killed and five people wounded clashes on Wednesday.

On Thursday life was back to normal -- at least in some parts.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR GENERAL, KHAING AUNT, SAYING:

"So far the situation in the town is quite stable now. There are no of mobs. There are only some 6 to 10 people who want to create problems

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