Six Christians injured in stoning of Christmas service in Burma

Wounded head of Christian worshipper in Paw Lwe village, central Burma on Dec. 17, 2018. /Morning Star News

Unidentified men last week stoned a house full of worshippers for an hour in a predominantly Buddhist village in Burma (Myanmar), injuring six people, sources said.

In Kanta Kawn Township, Magway Region in central Burma, 27 Christians were holding a Christmas worship service on Dec. 17 when at 8 p.m. stones began hitting them in Paw Lwe village, the homeowner told Morning Star News.

Last year area Buddhists told Christian families to leave the village after a similar attack, he said.

U Wah Daw said that some stones damaged a wall of his home and injured the chest, back and hands of some worshippers, including the pastor.

“We were afraid and didn’t make noise while they threw stones into my house,” U Wah Daw told Morning Star News. “They threw stones at my house while we held prayer. My house has minor damages. I filed a lawsuit to police and let them handle the case.”

The stones, which also landed in curries and meals, damaged motorbikes, furniture and dishes and plates.

Area Christians said attackers signaling each other threw stones at all sides of the house. They also broke into it and vandalized it, they said.

Injured back of Christian in Paw Lwe village, central Burma attacked on Dec. 17, 2018. / Morning Star News

“We are investigating those who are suspected of involvement in the attack,” said a police officer at Min Ywa police station. “We haven’t arrested them so far. We know many got involved in the attack.”

Aung San Myint, a lawmaker in Magway Region, told Burmese news outlet The Irrawaddy that the assailants must be brought to justice, as it is illegal to interfere with religious celebrations.

There are only four ethnic Chin Christian families in the predominantly Buddhist village, according to local residents.

Burma is about 80 percent Buddhist and 9 percent Christian.

The country is ranked 24^th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.