Two Muslim men hospitalized after beating by Buddhist-nationalist mob

One resident was severely beaten and had to be taken to the hospital.
One resident was severely beaten and had to be taken to the hospital.

A gathering of radical nationalists led by Buddhist monks reportedly converged on Yangon’s Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township last night in what they claimed was a search for ‘illegal Bengalis’, referring to Rohingyas seeking refuge from military violence and persecution in Rakhine State.

The mob, reportedly numbering over 100 and affiliated with the anti-Muslim Ma Ba Tha group, came in several cars to the mostly Muslim area at around 10:30pm to search for Rohingyas they believed were being sheltered in private homes. They reportedly entered a home claiming ‘Bengalis’ were inside.

A Facebook post by nationalist activist suggests that the gathering was planned in advance.

nationalist fb post
At least one Facebook user called on fellow Buddhist nationalists to gather in Mingalar Taung Nyunt several days before the violence began.

The mob began protesting outside the local police station after police said they could find no illegal Rohingyas. Some witnesses said a group of Muslim residents then gathered to confront the Buddhist mob.

M-Media reports that two Muslim men were later admitted to a local hospital after they were beaten by members of the Buddhist group. One is reported to have been severely injured.

MPs, immigration officials, and local administrators came to the area to quell the tensions, and the mob began to disperse early this morning after police came and fired two warning shots at them.

No arrests were made.

yangon buddhist violence
A photo collage circulating among Buddhist nationalist accounts on social media.

Last night’s violence comes less than two weeks after a similar Buddhist-nationalist mob forced local officials to shut down two Muslim schools in Thaketa Township in eastern Yangon, claiming the schools were holding prayers illegally.

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