01/26/2020 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – On January 19, the 5th year anniversary of the death of two Kachin Baptist teachers was held at Jawbwan in Myitkyina.
According to Eleven Myanmar, the memorial was organized by Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) and attended by religious leaders, elders, bereaved families and more than 2000 Christians. At the memorial, murdered Kachin Baptist teacher Yan Lu Ra’s elder sister spoke words of sadness.
“I think there will be truth about the case. It’s been over five years and there is no culprit till now. My sister started her work as a volunteer teacher in May 2015. On the night they were raped and killed, there was a military column at the village. If there is cooperation (from the military), we can find out who committed the crime. I thanked all those people working for the case,” she said.
Another slain victim, Hkawn Nan Tsin’s mother spoke as well. She said that she wanted the offenders, allegedly from the Myanmar Army’s Infantry Battalion 503 to be brought to justice. She added that she wishes no parents or families will ever face the fate they faced. She is still sad at the loss of her eldest daughter.
Chairman of KBC, Rev. Hkalam Samson said, “Although it’s been five years, the bereaved families of two Kachin teachers are not closer to knowing who raped and killed their daughters. I hoped that truth will prevail although it sometimes takes years to come to light.”
At the time of their deaths, Maran Lu Ra, 20, and Tangbau Hkwan Nan Tsin, 21, were working as volunteer teachers for the KBC in Kaung Khar village, an area cursed with ongoing conflict. The two teachers were reportedly raped inside a church compound in Kawng Hka village in Muse Township on Jan 19, 2015. Five years after the horrific crime, no one was charged for the rape and murder, and the case is still under investigation.
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