A banned commemoration in Mrauk U turned deadly when police fired on protesters, killing seven, highlighting ethnic tensions in Rakhine State.
Key Facts
- Date
- 16 January 2018
- Protesters killed
- 7 people
- Protesters wounded
- 12 people
- Trigger
- Ban on Kingdom of Mrauk U anniversary event
- Anniversary commemorated
- 233rd anniversary of fall of Kingdom of Mrauk U
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Local authorities banned a gathering intended to mark the 233rd anniversary of the end of the Kingdom of Mrauk U, a historically significant Rakhine kingdom. Ethnic Rakhine residents viewed the ban as suppression of their cultural identity, prompting a protest march toward the town's government office.
On 16 January 2018, protesters in Mrauk U marched to the local government office, where some began to riot and attempted to storm the building. When certain protesters allegedly tried to seize weapons from two policemen, security forces fired warning shots and then directly into the crowd.
Seven protesters were killed and twelve were wounded in the violence. The incident intensified ethnic grievances among the Rakhine population in Rakhine State and drew attention to ongoing tensions between the ethnic Rakhine community and Myanmar's central government amid broader instability in the region.
Political Outcome
Seven protesters killed and twelve wounded after police opened fire; event highlighted ethnic Rakhine political and cultural grievances in Rakhine State.