Security forces in Myanmar unable to quell sectarian violence

Even as the president came to western Myanmar to urge an end to sectarian violence last week, security forces could not prevent Buddhist mobs from torching the homes of minority Muslims or hacking them to death, at times unwittingly even encouraging them.

That has raised questions about the government's ability to quell a virulent strain of religious hatred blamed for the deaths of more than 240 people in the last 18 months.

Five Muslims were killed in an attack on Tuesday in Thandwe township, just hours before President Thein Sein touched down for a scheduled visit.

He promised an immediate investigation and, with uncharacteristic speed, state-run media by Saturday night said 44 suspects had been arrested, though few other details were released.

Still, as soldiers walked the dusty streets in the hardest-hit village of Thabyuchaing, semi-automatics slung across their shoulders, Muslim residents were afraid.

They said authorities had plenty of opportunities to prevent a series of attacks on Tuesday, each more brutal than the next, but did nothing. More than 110 homes were burned to the ground, and nearly 500 people were left homeless.