Angry mob attacked Lamu police station in Toungup Township, Rakhine State, forcing  police to fire off warning shots to disperse the crowd, sources said.

The accident occurred when two youths interfered with a procession of a ceremonial round of visits with the novice-to-be on November 16. Despite the two youths apologizing for their behaviour, musicians that were part of the procession attacked them.

The families of the two youths came to the police station to request apologies from the attackers. The on-duty police officer told them to file a case as they cannot proceed forward with the issue without opening a case in a court of law. However, family members of the two youths were not satisfied and demanded the police to escort the attackers to the police station so that they could apologize.

As a result, a large crowd of people formed during the night time and threw bricks at the station. The angry mob also destroyed windows and chairs inside the police station.

The police managed to detain some people from the mob which prompted villagers to approach the police station in force, demanding the release the detainees. The police fired warning shots into the air to disperse people.

A police officer said, “The families of the youths demanded to ask apology from the attackers without filing a case at the police station. We told them to open a case but later they cut the electric cord of the police station. They (the mob) then threw bricks to the police station and destroyed chairs and a TV. The mob dispersed after we fired warning shots. We detained some of them and lodged a complaint against them under Section 6 (1) of the Penal Code. The villagers came back again and started questioning us why did we detain some of them. They asked us to release the detainees. There were about 500 people and again we fired warning shots. No one was injured and now there are a few people left. We tightened security around the police station. MPs and the township administrator also arrived at the scene.”

Locals involved in the mob and the attack on the police station refused to answer questions when they were contacted.