Last week the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) called on the churches under their control to pray for peace. Tensions with the Burma's military, also called Tatmadaw, continue to escalate after the recent loss of two Kachin posts near their Laiza headquarters.
Government troops took Ja Ing Yang on Feb. 11. Hka U was overridden the following day. After the military sent large numbers of reinforcements from Myitkyina and Bhamo (or Manmaw) to be deployed at Burma military bases in Nam San Yang and Dawhpumyang, less than 10 miles from the Laiza, according to KIA officers on the frontline.
Rev. Sumlut Gun Seng, a Baptist pastor in Laiza, told the Kachin News Group, “the fighting is starting once again and it could involve heavy weapons. We have to pray to God who can enable everything”.
Both Baptist and Catholic churches in Laiza and Mai Ja Yang, the KIO's second largest town, were asked to conduct the special services in advance of another expected attack by Tatmadaw, religious leaders told the Kachin News Group.
The Laiza Roman Catholic church held a 24-hour prayer service last Sunday. This came shortly after head Father N’Bwi Naw met with Nuk Gan from the KIO's Cultural Department, according to a church colleague Lasang Tu San.The special services will continue every Sunday until the situation improves.
The Kachin Baptist Church in Laiza has already been holding a 24-hour prayer service that includes fasting every Saturday since the war started in June 2011, according to Pastor Rev. Lahpai Shingrip.
Most Kachin populations are Christian and have regularly shown their support for the KIO by participating in public prayer sessions at Kachin churches across the state since the 17 year ceasefire between the collapsed in June 2011.
