Yangon: Myanmar authorities have arrested 56 suspects for their involvement in a sectarian riot in Mandalay, police officials said on Sunday.
Action is being taken against them on charges of murder, arson and illegal possession of weapons, Xinhua reported.
The police forces are investigating 36 other suspects.
The police have already punished 1,400 people who allegedly broke the curfew order.
In the riot that broke out in Mandalay July 1 over a rape case, two people were killed and 17 injured.
Following the riot, all seven townships in Mandalay have been placed under a dusk-to-dawn curfew since July 3.As security situation in the areas has improved, the authorities have gradually reduced the curfew hours and as of July 28, the curfew was cut to be only effective from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Myanmar’s military released 91 children and young people from military service today, the United Nations said as it encouraged the army to speed up demobilisation to ensure it has no under-age soldiers in its ranks.
Myanmar has for years been listed among countries where children have been recruited to fight, by both the government army and ethnic minority guerilla groups battling the government for autonomy.
Myanmar enforces preventive steps against Ebola: The Myanmar government has taken preventive measures against the spread of Ebola in the country, a health ministry statement said on Sunday.
Myanmar has started to screen and monitor people at airports and ports and infection control programmes are being carried out at heathcare facilities with the establishment of isolation wards, Xinhua reported.
According to the statement, the ministry is cooperating with its counterparts of other countries, UN agencies, local, international non-governmental organisations and civil societies to enforce the preventive measures.
“No one is yet detected with Ebola,” the statement said.
The statement added that Myanmar is also taking measures to prevent Avian Influenza A (H7N9) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona (MERS-CoV), which are still prevalant in some countries.
Ebola virus can spread through mucous, other body fluid or secretions such as stool, urine, saliva and semen of infected people.
Four western African countries – Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone – have reported 729 deaths from Ebola virus with 1,323 people infected between March and July. (Agencies)
