BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Myanmar’s Union parliament has approved a proposal to extend a state of emergency in riot-hit areas in the north of the country by 60 days.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein declared a state of emergency in Meikhtila and three other townships in northern Myanmar on March 22nd as communal riots became violent. Despite the restoration of order, the state of emergency will remain in force to ensure peace and stability.

A total of 44 people were killed in the violence which broke out between Muslim and Buddhist communities in the area. 90 people are reported to have been injured with more than one-thousand-eight-hundred homes burnt and destroyed.

(Source: CNTV.cn)