Forty one people have been arrested by Burmese authorities in connection with anti-Muslim riots in Chauk, Magwe division.

Initially, 14 people were arrested, interrogated by divisional police officers and sentenced to two years in Thayet prison after riots erupted in the town two weeks ago.

The remaining 27 people are still in the custody of Magwe police and have yet to be charged Chauk police sources told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.

Among the 27 to be sentenced is a 73-year-old man, Hla Ngwe.

Residents in Chauk, where the security situation has stabilised, said the 14 people who had already been sentenced were not given access to lawyers.

Riots first broke out in Ushik Kone village in Sin Phyu Kyun township, Magwe division on February 16 before spreading to Salin, Pwintphyu and Chauk townships within days.

Two mosques were destroyed, houses and shops damaged and several people were injured during the unrest.