Myanmar lifts emergency in riot-hit district

The Myanmar government Saturday announced lifting of the state of emergency in four riot-hit towns in Meikhtila district 120 days after the imposition, saying that peace and stability have been restored in the areas.

The government had imposed emergency in Meikhtila, Wandwin, Mahlaing and Thazi townships in the northern Mandalay region following the outbreak of deadly communal riot on March 22, Xinhua reported.

The riot, which has left more than 10,000 people homeless out of a population of 500,000 in Meikhtila, was sparked by a brawl between buyers and sellers over a bit of gold at a shop March 20.

During the clashes, 43 people were killed and 86 were injured, with 1,355 houses, shops and buildings destroyed and 39 vehicles torched.

The riot later spread to more than a dozen other townships.

Police have arrested 68 culprits, 30 of whom have been jailed.