International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on February 28, the military
and police raided the Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) in Lashio, Shan state
twice, before taking away 14 Christians. According to the congregation, a
group of youth caught plainclothes who had been spying on an anti-coup
protestor earlier and investigated him in the compound before releasing
him. The compound is large and people in the church were not even aware
of what was going on. At the time, there was theological training
underway. As retaliation, at 1:00 pm military and police forces in riot
gear raided the church compound, knocking down the main gate of the
church and causing some damage inside before arresting 13 people.
A source close to KBC told Voice of America Burmese service “The
police searched KBC compound. A lot of police cars came and there were
shootings. It seems like they used rubber bullets. Can’t say how many
casualties there are.”
At 5:00 pm, the armed military and
police forces returned and searched the church compound while
intimidating people in the neighborhood. This time they took KBC church
secretary, according to congregants who live nearby. Videos recorded by
the neighbors examined by ICC documented the moments of the raids. At
least dozens of police in gear were inside the church compound. Despite
the fact that Christians at the KBC compound were not involved in the
plainclothes episode earlier, the authorities had arrested a total of 14
people. This included four ministers, six church youth, three seminary
students, and a church secretary.
Their names are as follow:
Church secretary:
1. Sr. Dr. L Zau Ring
Four ministers
2. Sr.Maw She
3. Sr. Zau Doi Aung
4. Sr. Seng Ra Awng
5. Sr. K.D Naw Mai
Three seminary students
6. Lagang Dau Gyung
7. HangKum Hkawng Gyung
8. Gum Sut Nan
Six youths
9. Hawng Hkawng
10. Peter
11. Zau Ja Hpaw
12. Ah Sut
13. Hkaw Ying
14. Dan Seng Awng
No
one knows where these detainees are, as the police station in the
Lashio area has no information to provide. The police from Lashio said
these forces are not people who stationed in Lashio.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “As
the military junta cracks down on peaceful protests all over Myanmar,
it is worrisome that 14 Christians from KBC Lashio have been arrested
without due process. The Tatmadaw (Burmese Army) has been hostile
towards ethnic Kachin, who are predominantly Christian. What might
happen to them is very concerning. ICC calls for their release and urges
the global Church to pay attention to this case and the ongoing
anti-coup movement, as more innocent lives are lost each day.”
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
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