Carson Baptist Church’s Youth Ministry based in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state, northeast India had sent 14 Chins from Burma to Bangladesh to distribute the Bengali version of Bible tracks (booklet) to Bawm tribal people in Bandarban district as part of a Christian mission to Bangladesh.

The 14 Chins arrived in Bangladesh on November 19 and were arrested in Rumana village in Bandarban town as some people complained to the authorities. The arrested Chins were later taken to jail in Bandarban town.

“They have been arrested for distributing Bible tracks but the Bangladesh government had charged them under Foreigner’s Act.” said Pu Khin, a member of Carson Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

“The case will be heard in court in Bardarban town tomorrow”, he added.

The arrested Chins were identified as Tumbika (40), Bawithiangbika (28), Laldengliana (20), Rualthang (23), H.Lalrinzama (20), R.Lalneihsang (18,) Tialkipmem (30), Awtkipsung (22), Zatinremi (18), Kulh Cung (33), Ceuthang (20), Ramtinthanga (21), Vanlalmawia (23), and Thatinhmung (18).

The arrested Chins from Burma live mostly in Aizawl and Lunglei in Mizoram state. Later, they joined the missionary work of the Carson Baptist Church’s Youth Ministry in Aizawl.

“Our Programme Director in Aizawl is planning to go to Bangladesh to see their condition,” said Pu Khin.

Previously, Carson Baptist Church Youth Ministry had sent seven young Christians for missionary work among Bawm tribe in Bangladesh. However, there was no report of disrupting their free practice of faith.

Bawm tribe from Bangladesh shares the same language as Lai tribe from Chin state in Burma and from Mizoram state in India.

Recently, the Carson Baptist Church has been giving training to youths who are interested in missionary work.