A local in Kalay Myo said that the authorities collected money from all the 50 Chin Christian churches. About Kyat 3 lakhs to 6 lakhs was collected from each church depending on the number of Christian community members it has.

"They collected donations from every church depending on the number of church members," he told Khonumthung News.

The new land for the graveyard is two miles from Tahan Township. Of the total area of 30 acres, 15 acres is reserved for burial of Christians. The other 15 acres is for Buddhists, Muslims, Hindu and others.

The new graveyard will be thrown open soon and it has to be used in accordance with the rules for each religious group set by the authorities.

The old cemetery in Kalay Myo is almost full, so the authorities purchased the new land.

A Chin pastor who visited Mizoram said, "The purchase of the new land for the graveyard is a good decision. But the authorities could get the land by paying compensation. It is meaningless collecting money from religious groups."

The authorities are used to depriving civilians of their land when they need to construct their own buildings. But they collect money from local people when they have to do something for civilians.

The money collected was given to six landowners in Kalay Myo. They got Kyat 3 lakhs an acre each.

But the total amount of money collected from 50 churches in Kalay Myo was not officially announced to the church members. – KNG.