Communal Violence in the Town of Meiktila,Burma

A state of emergency has been imposed in the Myanmar(Burmese) town of Meiktila following three days of communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims.At least 20 people are reported to have been killed since the violence began, but exact figures are unclear.

A statement announcing the decision on behalf of President Thein Sein was broadcast on state television

The disturbances began on Wednesday March 20,2013 when an argument in a gold shop escalated quickly, with mobs setting mainly Muslim buildings alight, including some mosques. 

Fighting in the streets between men from rival communities later broke out.