A hostel meant for Chin students’ attached to the Government Technology Center (GTC) was demolished in Tayawari village, Kalemyo Sagaing division western Burma last month.

According to a report available the hostel, also known as the Technological Christian Students/Fellowship (TCS/F) place of worship, where Chin students stayed has been demolished by the local people, on the orders of the Kalemyo Town Peace and Development Council (TPDC) on October 30.

Chin students assembled in the hostel every Sunday to worship. However, local Buddhist worshipers dislike Christian prayer services in their respective areas. So they allegedly manipulated and took permission from the Kelemyo Town Peace and Development Council to demolish the hostel.

Earlier, the hostel was destroyed by Tayawarri villagers in October 2008 on the orders of the Kalemyo TPDC, but it was reconstructed in early 2009 by Chin students. However, now it has been completely demolished again for the second time by the local people with the encouragement of the Kalemyo TPDC, said a Kalemyo local.

There are about 300 students in the Government Technology Center (GTC). Most Chin students are from different parts of Chin state. Chin students comprise a third of the school strength.

Technological Christian Students/Fellowship (TCS/F) was established on March 17, 2000 and the Government Technology Center is located six miles from Kelemyo.

“It’s not fair at all! Its oppression, violation and curtailment of religious freedom in Burma,” a Chin student in Kalemyo told Khonumthung News.