In yet another instance of the junta’s high handedness, the Burmese military intelligence yesterday interrogated Rev. Dr. Gum Se, former principal of the Kachin Theological College (KTC) regarding his work in the church-based Urban Rural Mission in Kachin State, Northern Burma, said KBC sources.

Rev. Dr. Gum Se was forcibly taken to Northern Regional Command in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State from his home in Ayeyar quarter in the capital yesterday evening for interrogation. He was released later, said sources close to his family.

Rev. Dr. Gum Se, former principal of Kachin Theological College. Photo: Kachin News Group.

The former KTC principal is a patron of the Urban Rural Mission (URM). He was interrogated regarding work related to the URM, said KBC sources.

In what could be a pattern, the same day, Zawng Ze, member of URM and Baptist preacher of Nawng Nang village, 10 miles north of Myitkyina was also forcibly taken to the Northern Command early in the morning from his home for interrogation.  He was freed in the evening, said URM sources.

It is not yet known why the two URM members were interrogated.  

According to the URM, it had planned to hold a meeting yesterday but it was cancelled because the two URM members were taken away for interrogation by military intelligence.

In military-ruled Burma, Christian church activities and movements are always monitored by the military intelligence, said church sources.