An interview with Reverend Pastor U Lo Dain and a Christian minister from Khawe Village Baptist Church in Paletwa Township, discussing the situation in Paletwa under ULA/AA administration and his beating by a ULA/AA captain
Since the Arakha Army (AA) took full control of Paletwa Township in southern Chin State from the military council on 14 January 2024, the Arakha government administration has been in operation for more than a year.
Over the past year that the ULA/AA has governed Paletwa Township, free from military council control, some local residents have reportedly faced violations of religious freedom and human rights. Consequently, some have been forced to flee, and this situation continues to persist, according to civil society organizations based in Paletwa Township.
The ULA/AA has reportedly restricted public gatherings and limited certain Christian church activities in Paletwa Township. Additionally, some local residents and civil society organizations allege that local residents accused of supporting local resistance groups have been arrested and detained. There have also been reports of rape and extrajudicial killings.
On 17 April, a captain from the ULA/AA reportedly assaulted Reverend U Lo Dain, a minister certified by the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC) and pastor of Khawe Village Baptist Church in Paletwa Township, without any apparent reason.
Khonumthung Media Group (KMG) interviewed Reverend Pastor U Lo Dain, who was assaulted without cause, to discuss the incident and the current situation in Paletwa under ULA/AA administration.
Q: What role do you serve in Khwe Village, Paletwa Township? How long have you been in this position?
A: I am a Christian pastor holding Dhamma Service Card No. 12124, issued by the Myanmar Baptist Convention. Since graduating from Bible school in 2003, I have been actively involved in ministry and have continued my Bible studies intermittently. I served as the pastor of Khawe Baptist Church from 2018 to 2025.
Q: How has pastoral work in Paletwa Township changed before and after the military coup?
A: Before the military coup, I did not face many challenges in my pastoral work. However, now in Paletwa, we encounter numerous restrictions related to religious activities. We can no longer freely conduct regular church meetings or religious training sessions as we used to.
Q: Since Paletwa Township came under AA control, what is the current situation concerning religious freedom and the overall religious environment there?
A: Although the AA frequently claims to respect religious leaders and uphold religious values, the reality on the ground tells a different story. In practice, religious leaders face numerous obstacles and restrictions. They are subjected to constant surveillance and treated with ongoing suspicion.
In practice, various obstacles and restrictions have significantly curtailed freedom of religion. Religious gatherings and training sessions are permitted only under strict limitations on dates and participant numbers, and solely with prior permission from the AA. The notion of ‘suspicion’ reflects the ULA/AA’s intention to exert full control over religious leaders, compelling them to operate according to their directives. Those who fail to comply with these expectations are subjected to close monitoring and treated with suspicion.
Q: We have also heard that an AA officer physically assaulted you. Could you please explain the reasons behind the assault and describe the circumstances surrounding the incident?
A: From 14 to 16 April, a religious training course was held. After it concluded, on the night of April 17th, while I was returning home after praying in front of the church and had reached the middle of the village, an AA soldier called me to follow him. Upon arriving at the camp, he started to beat me.
When I asked why he was beating me, he didn’t answer but instead asked how many CDF groups loyal to the Burmese there were. When I said I didn’t know, he kept beating me. He also asked if I knew about the aerial bombing in Arakan State, and when I said no, he continued beating me.
When I said I didn’t know who the leader was, they kept asking irrelevant questions, searching for faults, beating me, and kicking me. They threatened to shoot me with gun but did not shoot me. However, But the more I thought about it, the more scared I became. I have been emotionally traumatized—I can’t sleep well, and I have lost my appetite. I am always afraid that they might call me back again soon.
Q: How did you overcome the physical and emotional insecurities you experienced?
A: Since I was told they were monitoring me, I am afraid of being unjustly accused and assaulted again without any reason. There is no one from our people to stand up for me, so I had to leave for the safe place. Because they keep looking for faults and blaming me without any cause, there is no rule of law or protection, and no respect for human rights or religious freedom. That is why I had to flee.
Q: How were the injuries from the assault treated? What is the current condition of those injuries?
A: After the assault, I stayed in the village for five days. My wounds were treated discreetly by someone skilled in administering injections. The reason is that I was threatened not to tell anyone about who assaulted me, and if it got out, it wouldn’t be easy for me. So, I was scared. I only left the village once I started feeling a little better. At that time, because of the beatings all over my face and body, everything was bruised and darkened. Now, those injuries have mostly healed. However, when my chest was struck, it hit my ribs. Someone experienced said the bones are not broken, but due to the heavy impact, I still can’t breathe well and it still hurts up to now.
Q: After being assaulted, did the AA side provide any explanation or apology? Did they take any responsibility for the injuries and offer medical treatment?
A: So far, they have neither provided any explanation nor apologized. In addition, they have taken no responsibility at all for medical treatment.
Q: What would you like to say about the physical assault committed by the AA officer against a Christian pastor like this?
A: I’m still shocked that a Christian pastor like me was treated this way without any wrongdoing. I wonder if they still have any humanity left or if they are under the influence of drugs. The reason I say this is because, although I have never experienced it myself, I have heard rumors before that they use drugs. Seeing how they assaulted me without any reason, it makes me think they might be under the influence of drugs.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: The people of Paletwa must work to ensure that human rights violations do not happen again. I want to say that it is essential to closely monitor the armed groups in our area and to speak the truth. Everyone in Paletwa Township has a responsibility to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. When human rights are violated, we must not stay silent but speak the truth as it is.
Sent by KMG