YANGON — Myanmar President U Thein Sein Monday called on the people to cooperate with the government in exposing instigators of the recent sectarian riots that took place in the country’s second largest city of Mandalay.

In a radio speech nationwide Monday night, U Thein Sein condemned the riot inciters, saying that the unrest was designed on purpose by a particular group to create hatred between two communities, Xinhua reported.

He praised Mandalay residents from various religious groups for being able to stop the riots as the city has a tradition of peaceful coexistence among residents of different religions.

He urged the people to learn lessons from the Mandalay riots to ensure that such incidents did not recur in other parts of the country.

Sectarian riots broke out in Mandalay July 1 over an alleged rape case, in which two people died and 17 others were injured.

In connection with the riots, 16 people have so far been charged.

Following the riots, all seven townships in Mandalay have been placed under curfew since July 3.

A total of 346 people were arrested and charged for violation of curfew order. Among them, 145 have been released.–IANS