In the Naga Hills, under the present political map of Myanmar, Sagai division, the Naga Christians pastors are being brutally beaten by Myanmar Army under the Command of Maj. Thaithunnai, 229 Battalion Myanmar Tatmado.
In the second week of December, 2005, Pastor Rokwe of Chawang Baptist church was beaten and was bounded for three days. During that days the Chawang Village Christians were forced to convert into Buddhism, and then after Pastor Rokwe was released and sent to his native village Papung (five days journey on foot from Chawang).
In November, 2005 Wakka Chopkao Baptist Church Pastor Kamyung was also beaten blue and black, bleeeded from his nose and ears. In the first week of December 2005,Rev. Chaida, pastor of Chawang Nukwuk village Baptist church was also detained and beaten brutally.
Mr. Wongap, pastor of Catholic Chruch of Jumnu village was beaten on 24th December 2005; I myself was also detained for three days in the underground cell from November 10. 2005. On the fourth day I managed to escape from their hands.
The Village leaders are also beaten and valuable properties are taken away as their will by the Myanmar Army. They served the orders to every village to provide them domestic animals for their ration such as pigs, goat, hens, cocks, buffalos, cow etc. without payment. Even rice and vegetables should be supplied to them by the villager, which is by order. The Myanmar Army is also selling drugs, Rum, Whisky, and cigarette to every Naga Christian Villages. The villagers are forced to buy their drugs with Indian currency, not by Myanmar Kyat (currency) .If their drugs are not sold, the village leaders are forced to buy them through the village funds.
The villagers are also forced to serve them daily by fetching water and firewood’s. Also the villagers are being used like horses and cows to carry their loads from village to village because there is no vehicle communication in those areas.
In November last week, 2005 the Myanmar Army came to Chumnu village and as soon as they reached the village, they sent one of the villager for duties levy to porter for them. When he went to porter, the Myanmar Army commander Maj. Thaithunnai had taken a muzzle loading gun (Naga gun) from the one whom he had sent to levy porter. After he returned, he asked the Commander to give back his gun, but then the commander asked him to pay Indian Rupees1500/- to retain his gun. The villager so gave him Rs.1500/-to retain his gun. Again with that money the commander sent the same person to India to buy a suitcase and two blankets for him.
The brutalities and barbarous act of Myanmar Army under the command of Maj. Thaithunnai is strange to the Nagas and intolerable. Such brutalities and barbarous activities cannot be seen in the other parts of civilized world.
YS Hangya
Pangmi Region
