The Burmese military junta is attempting to replace a cross, which was built by a combination of different Christian congregations and was situated on the top of the Kimo mountain in Paletwa Township, Chin state.

According to a report the authorities have destroyed the cross on the top of Kimo mountain 40 miles from Paletwa town in the middle of March 2009.  Now they are trying to construct a pagoda and monastery at the same place.

“The cross was made up of wood and built in 2007. In the middle of March, on the order of TPDC, Mrs. Sat Suu High School Principle led some people and destroyed it,” said a local Bible student.

After that the authorities ordered local villagers to clean up the place and now they are about to construct a pagoda and monastery through the Sittwe town based hill ministry group.

“We have been ordered to clean the place for a pagoda and monastery. We heard that hill ministry group will come and construct the pagoda and monastery, but we don’t know when they will arrive,” said a local.

There are at least four churches in Paletwa. In fact they had contributed some money and made the cross. They used to have prayer services at the place once in a year.

“It is very sad because the cross made by donation of our churches. But now it is gone! They never informed or consulted us. We cannot do anything even if we submit FIR at the police station. The saddest thing is they had completely destroyed our yearly prayer worshiping symbol and place,” said a church leader.

In fact, the military government has started to destroy crosses in Chin state from 2005, and then they are replacing it with pagodas, monasteries and military camps.