Myanmar government panel recommends doubling security forces to prevent sectarian clashes

YANGON, Myanmar – A special commission appointed by Myanmar's government to investigate sectarian violence last year has issued a list of proposals to ease tensions — including doubling the number of security forces in the region and introducing family planning programs for Muslims.

An executive summary of the report, obtained by The Associated Press, says that "rapid" population growth among Muslims in western Rakhine state has undermined relations between Buddhists and Muslims.

The summary says the segregation of the two communities, now a de facto reality across the state, is a temporary solution but one that must be enforced for now.

Two outbreaks of violence between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims last year left nearly 200 people dead and forced more than 125,000 people, mostly Muslims, from their homes.