Updated

Police in Myanmar say at least 42 people have been arrested and may face trial for their roles in an outbreak of sectarian violence last month.

Police officer Kyi Shein says 30 Buddhists are among those who have been detained for alleged links to unrest that hit the central town of Meikhtila for several days.

Kyi Shein said Thursday by phone from Meikhtila that no trial dates have been set because investigations are continuing.

He said among those detained was the Muslim owner of a gold shop, where troubles first began, and those who allegedly killed a Buddhist monk whose death prompted angry Buddhists to take to the streets.

Authorities say dozens of people were killed during the violence and mostly Muslim-owned houses, shops and mosques were burned down.