October 24 (NMG) Kachin ethnic christians organized numerous prayer meetings in Kachin State to get back their holy hill on October 18 and 19 in Daw-Phu-Yan township near China-Burma border.

The holly place was recently occupied by Burmese army, peoples from this area said.

The villagers from Liza which is under control of KIO told NMG that Baptist Religious leaders organized to hold several prayer sessions in Dawt-Phone-Yan and five Church dioceses in more than fifty villages hold prayer meetings for their holy hill at the same time.

“Under the guidance of five Churches, the villagers from over fifty villages prayed for getting back of their holly hill,” a Daw-Phu-Yan resident who does not want to be identified said.

Daw-Phu-Yan, situated in Ba-Maw district and became a township recently, is constructing several government offices and new army posts have been stationed in its township.

Khan-Kai Hill (alias) Prayer Hill that celebrated the 75th anniversary of Christian religion in Kachin State is also known as Jubilee Hill was occupied by Burmese Army on September 15, 2003. Northern Regional Commander Gen. Maung Maung Swe told Church Leaders that the hill was occupied "According to Central Plan" and will be controlled by LIB 427 as an Army property.

Daw-Phu-Yan Baptist Church leaders tried to appeal Religious Affairs Minster to hand over the Holly Hill back, the Ministry responded to follow the order of Northern Division Command.

Although the religious leaders also sent an appeal message to Ba-Maw District Peace and Development Council on 9th October, no official response are yet to received.

In the appeal message to All Baptist Christian, it is said that there will be district-wide prayer sessions in Ba-Maw district unless there is no changes after current prayer sessions.

Network Media Group