Mr. Ceu Bik Thawng, CNP Secretary, told Khonumthung the  construction of a pagoda was passed by the Chin State assembly recently. The pagoda is to be built in Hakha, the capital of Chin State. However, instances of demolition of  Christian crosses have been ignored and no action taken by the authorities.

Mr. Thawng has been discussing this issue with local people to get to the root of the problem of religious discrimination by the government and resolve it. The local Chin Christians face religious persecution and they comprise 90 percent of the population of the state.

“Local people are disappointed because of the religious persecution by the central government. They want to voice this issue, so I am discussing it with local people how to solve it,” said Mr. Thawng.

Discussions will take place inHakha, Falam and Teddim.

The cross, in MualBem,Teddim Township, in northern Chin State, was demolished with a bulldozer by the local authorities, led by Mr. Hau Khan Nang, an administrator of MualBem, on 11 April 2012.

As well, a cross on Rung Mountain, near Hakha, the capital, was demolished on February 2012.

Soldiers of the Burmese Army also disrupted a Christian conference in Sabawngte, Matupi Township, near the Indo-Burma border and threatened Pu Van Cin, an MP from the Ethnic National Development Party, at gunpoint, on 10 March.

Although the armed resistance group, the Chin National Front, signed a preliminary ceasefire agreement with the Chin State government in January this year, persecution of Christians and disruption of conferences continue.