Pastor abducted by militant Buddhists in Myanmar, second to be captured in 2 months

People walk outside of a church in the Kachin state of Myanmar, where 95 percent of residents are Christian. | (Photo: Twitter/@BobRobertsJr)

A second pastor in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has been abducted by suspected Buddhist insurgents after another was killed less than two months ago.

Pastor U Thar Tun was abducted from his home in Buthidaung township on Feb. 13, according to the U.S.-based watchdog group International Christian Concern.

Tun is the 50-year-old pastor of Mara Evangelical Church who is active in community development and received a theological education from Mizoram State. The father of five has served as the pastor of his church even though the congregation could not support him financially.

The pastor’s abduction was also confirmed by contacts of the England-based Christian aid agency Barnabas Fund, who say that he was abducted by militants of the Arakan Army. The Arakan Army is the armed wing of the United League of Arakan and is active in both Rakhine and Kachin states.

Barnabas Fund believes Tun may have been a target because of his work helping refugees in his hometown of Buthidaung.

Violence between the AA and the Myanmar military rekindled in December when fighting again broke out in Rakhine state, which has led to thousands being displaced. AA forces have attacked police posts in the Buthidaung Township.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, displaced people have sought shelter inside monasteries and other communal spaces in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships, where they have been aided by authorities and relief agencies.

“He is innocent and actively involved in social and ethnic Myo [a minority ethnic group] people activities. He acts with truth and love for the oppressed people and he also protects them,” one of Tun’s colleague told ICC. “Even though there is only [a] slim chance, I would like to request his immediate release from the people who had taken him. He is a valued member of our community.”

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