YANGON - The Myanmar government has declared a state of emergency in four townships of central Myanmar, authorising the army to control flaring sectarian violence that has left possibly more than 25 dead after three days of Buddhist-Muslim riots.

Thousands of Muslims in Meiktila, halfway between Mandalay and Naypyidaw, have taken refuge in police stations and a local stadium three days after the deadly violence erupted. The dead include children, locals said.

Hundreds of local Buddhists fled homes and took shelter in monasteries. Those who did not leave stayed indoors as close to 1,000 policemen patrolled Meiktila yesterday, confiscating weapons and arresting looters as mobs roamed the streets. A night curfew did little to reduce volatility.

The state of emergency in the townships of Meiktila, Wundwin, Mahlaing and Tharzi was declared yesterday afternoon after tensions spread to Yangon and Moulmein, fuelled by rumours and allegations spreading like wildfire on the Internet.