June 5, 2009: Christians in Kalemyo are disappointed and frustrated because they have been unable to get permission from the Burmese military junta authorities to construct churches.

There are about 100 different Christian religious organizations in Kalemyo, western Burma. Most of the church members cannot afford a permit for church construction so they have rented private houses and turned them into places of worship. Meanwhile, the authorities also have not allowed renovation of existing churches in Kalemyo.

"We had submitted an application for a church construction permit to the authorities 10 years ago. We have not got any response from their side till today. We are renting private houses as places of worship. Other religious sects are also facing a similar situation," a member of the Seven Day Church said.

Some groups, who have no churches as well as no permission to construct churches, are going around from one house to another every week. The authorities are likely to give permission for construction of churches if they are paid Kyat 20 lakh.

"There are around 50 churches in Tamu Township. Of these some churches, have many members and if they can pay Kyat 20 lakh to the authorities, then they can construct their own church. A church, which has fewer members, cannot do the same so they are renting private houses at a high cost," a local church leader said.  

Similarly, the authorities earlier used to issue permission annually to Christian churches in Chin state and Rangoon city. But, without renewal of the permit they cannot do anything.

"We have to give an annual report to the township authorities, otherwise we cannot open our bible school," said a head teacher of the Christian Bible School in Rangoon city.