(Chindwin): The Christian Orphanage was stormed last night and seized as a state asset by the junta regime as dozens of the orphans were taken out of the centre when storming the building at around 6:30 pm in Pyigyitagon township of Mandalay region in central Myanmar.
The orphanage is reported to have cared and housed dozens of children who lost parents and the owner has close relationship with neighbours.
A source familiar with the Christian Orphanage told Chindwin that all children were terrified as the soldiers and police shouted at the owners and told them to get immediately out of the building premises as their weapons fully loaded.
On the same night, around 20 nurses who joined Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) were arrested as the junta regime stepped up its violent crackdown on those joining the opposition.
The Christian orphanage was immediately closed off, and placed a banner at the gate, saying that this building was seized as a state asset as this has a connection with the People Defense Force.
A local Christian and an ethnic person who lived in Mandalay city told Chindwin that the move could be an intended report made against the Christian group by people who hated Christianity to exist in the township.
Or, this could be an intended oppression against the minority Christian group in the city, he added as he spoke to Chindwin under the condition of anonymity.
Chindwin has attempted to contact the owner of the orphanage but could only reach a third party for comments on the junta regime’s seizure of their centre.