Myanmar imposes emergency rule as death toll hits 20

Myanmar declared a state of emergency on Friday for a riot-hit town where 20 people have been killed in Buddhist-Muslim violence that has sparked fears of spreading unrest.

Swathes of Meiktila, located 130 kilometres north of the capital Naypyidaw, have been reduced to ashes as the authorities struggle to establish control after three days of clashes and arson.

“At least 20 people have been killed. We estimate that it could be higher but it is also difficult for us to gather all the figures,” a police officer who did not want to be named told reporters.

The president’s office said the state of emergency would enable the military to help restore order.

The situation was extremely tense on Friday with groups of men – including Buddhist monks – armed with knives and sticks prowling the streets. Many of the town’s Muslim residents have fled their homes.

A journalist saw the incinerated remains of two victims on a roadside, just one of several reports of bodies in the town, as flames raged from torched mosques and houses while other buildings smouldered unattended.