RANGOON, Burma — Civilians in two ethnic minority states with large Christian populations fear their lives may be in danger as skirmishes between rebels and a Burmese junta bent on instilling Buddhist nationalism threaten to escalate into war.
“It is likely that the military junta will carry out a military offensive against ethnic armed groups now that the elections are over,” Nang Mya Naddy, ethnic program coordinator of the Democratic Voice of Burma radio program told Compass Direct News.
Christians fear full-scale civil war in Burma (also known as Myanmar) could result in either ethnic cleansing or total subjugation of minorities. Independent media reports suggest the possibility of a major clash between ethnic armies and government troops is highest in Kachin and Karen states.
Persecution of Christians in Burma is part of a wider campaign against ethnic minority tribes to create a uniform society in which the only accepted religion is Buddhism, according to the British Daily Telegraph, citing a 2007 government memo circulated in Karen state giving instructions on how to drive Christians out of the state.
Burma’s ethnic minorities, who inhabit states along Burma’s border with Thailand, China and India, have long demanded independence or autonomy.
It is estimated that of the 1.2 million people in Kachin state, around 1 million are Christian. About 40 percent of the 3.5 million people in Karen state are estimated to be Christian.
The Burmese junta, dominated by an ethnic Burman Buddhist majority, also seems to be preparing for war in the predominantly Buddhist state of Shan.
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