CHAN THAR (UCAN): The military of Myanmar’s ruling junta has continued to target Chan Thar, a historic Catholic village in the central Bamar heartland, in the Diocese of Mandalay, while the assault on civilians in predominantly Christian regions of the country remains unabated.
At least 20 houses were burned during a raid on the village in the Sagaing region on May 7, according to local sources. Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes to nearby safe areas. There were no reported civilian casualties from the assault.
“It’s so sad to hear the houses were burned down and destroyed with an intentional attitude,” said ome priest from the village.
A local Catholic said it was a sad day as her home, as well as those of her uncle, aunt and sister were among those burned. “How can I give moral support to the relatives and other villagers?” she asked.
The attack came amid an escalation in fighting between the military and people’s defense forces [PDFs] in nearby areas.
Chan Thar has already been raided at least three times by the military. Two people, including one who was mentally disadvantaged, were shot dead and three people severely beaten during a raid on January 10 when junta troops destroyed statues and looted property.
Three historic villages in Sagaing— Chaung Yoe, Monhla and Chan Thar —where resistance has been growing to the military among PDFs, have been targeted.
The three villages—known as Bayingyi villages—where people are descended from Portuguese adventurers who arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, have produced many bishops, priests and religious sisters and brothers
In June 2021, dozens of soldiers raided the Assumption Church and its clergy house in Chan Thar and arrested six priests over suspected links to civil resistance groups [Sunday Examiner, 27 June 2021].
Some 100 soldiers also raided the compound of Sacred Heart Cathedral in central Mandalay and searched every building thoroughly including the archbishop’s house and clergy home for hidden weapons on April 8.
The ongoing conflict, particularly in predominantly Christian regions inhabited by the Kayah, Chin, Karen and Kachin minorities, has resulted in churches being shelled and raided. Priests and pastors have been arrested while many unarmed civilians have been killed.
Thousands of people have been displaced and desperately need food, medicine and shelter as the junta has blocked humanitarian assistance, according to aid groups.
