A Pentecostal church in predominantly Christian Chin state was set ablaze by the military on Dec. 4
As the military junta has escalated its attacks on civilians, houses and churches have been the primary targets in predominantly Christian Chin state in western Myanmar.
A United Pentecostal church and its clergy quarters in the deserted town of Thantlang were set ablaze along with residential homes in an arson attack by the military on Dec. 4, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).
The group said the deserted town once again came under an arson attack when 19 structures were burned down by soldiers.
The latest attack came just a week after St. Nicholas Catholic Church and several residential buildings were burned down on Nov. 27.
More than 450 houses and five churches have been set ablaze in Thantlang since Sept. 9, according to right groups and local media reports.
At least 22 churches have been burned or destroyed by the military along with more than 350 civilian homes in Chin state between August and November, according to the CHRO.
More than 10,000 residents of Thantlang had already fled as the military targeted homes during indiscriminate shooting and shelling
Christian-majority Chin state has been at the forefront of resistance to the junta and has witnessed fierce attacks by the military including air strikes, heavy artillery and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Hundreds have been arbitrarily detained and dozens killed.
More than 10,000 residents of Thantlang had already fled as the military targeted homes during indiscriminate shooting and shelling incidents in September.
The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil following the Feb. 1 military coup which toppled the elected Aung San Suu Kyi-led government after ending a 10-year democracy experiment.
Suu Kyi was jailed for two years on Dec. 6 after being found guilty of incitement and breaching Covid-19 rules in a ruling that drew global outrage.
Published: December 07, 2021 08:36 AM GMT
Another church burns in Myanmar junta’s onslaught – UCA News