Residents of northern Shan State concerned by the escalating number of religious buildings being damaged during fighting are calling on armed resistance groups not to deploy in or vandalise religious buildings.

They worry that the junta targets religious buildings with airstrikes and artillery because it believes that resistance fighters are either sheltering or stationed in and around the buildings.

A young activist from northern Shan State said: “Armed groups should avoid deploying in religious buildings that are sacred to the public. Combatants may understand military and security matters better than civilians, but we ask them all not to take positions in areas close to the public.”

During October 2024, junta airstrikes destroyed or seriously damaged four religious buildings in northern Shan State. They have also led to civilian casualties.

They hit the Chinese Guanyin Temple in Lashio Town on 4 October; the KBC church building in Einaing Village on the outskirts of Lashio Town on 14 October; the Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) building in Hsenwi (Theinni) Town on 27 October; and the renowned 2,500 Pyi Lone Chan Thar stupa in Ward No. 1 of Lashio Town on 29 October.

A woman living in the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) controlled town of Kutkai in northern Shan State said: “It would be best if armed groups avoided mixing with the local population. The junta is bombing residential areas and religious buildings, assuming that resistance forces are taking positions there. In our Kutkai Town, the TNLA troops are primarily deployed outside the town and do not mix with the people.”

The northern Shan State residents are urging defence forces to not deploy in or near to civilian areas, public spaces and religious buildings  because they believe that if they do, junta airstrikes and artillery will target such areas less often.

The aforementioned young activist explained: “Generally, churches are built on hills. Previously, junta troops operating in the region used hilltop churches as fortifications and took positions there, digging trenches in the churchyards. As a result, locals no longer dared to visit the churches they once attended. The presence of armed groups in religious buildings makes people feel insecure, as we have gone through many such experiences.”

Since the coup junta soldiers have raided and burnt down religious sites and set up camps and dug trenches in and around them. They accuse defence forces of doing the same which is why they attack religious sites.