Pastors Dom Dawng Nawng Latt, 65, and La Jaw Gam Hseng, 35, were arrested on December 24, 2016, after helping to negotiate the release of a couple that had complained to military officials about the destruction of their house. The pastors went to the Byuha Gon military base where the couple were being held. Military officials released the couple but detained the clergymen, citing that the arrest was linked to the pastors helping journalists cover the bombing of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church building on November 23-24.

On March 25th, a Buddhist monk led a group of about 50 people into a church and demanded that the Christians cease worship activities. when police arrived, they scolded the Christians for disturbing the peace and ordered the pastor to go to the station for an interview. Pastor Ishara visited the police station twice but never met the officer in charge. A week later, the pastor, who had led worship in the area for 17 years, received a letter stating that his church must register with the government.