Attacks on Christians in India spread beyond Orissa

As Christians in four districts of the eastern India state of Orissa continue to suffer attacks from extremist Hindus, the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh is now also witnessing atrocities against Christians.

Around 100 unknown attackers armed with lathis weapons (sticks) and petrol bombs attacked a prayer meeting led by Pastor Mohan C Thomas and Jose Kajur in Bothli village of Gurur area of Durg district., reports the Evangelical Fellowship of India.

The attackers rushed to the attack site in a truck where around 2,500 people from nearby villages had gathered to attend an open air prayer meeting last Wednesday.

The innocent Christian worshippers and workers were targeted on the pretext of forceful conversion. In a brutal attack lasting around 10 minutes, the attackers beat them mercilessly and burnt the huge pandal (tent) where they were assembled down to ashes, according to the EFI's General Secretary, the Rev Dr Richard Howell. The incident was witnessed by viewers on a prime News Channel IBN 7.

The Sub-Divisional Officer of Police of Durg, Shri Pipre, informed one of EFI's lawyers that a case was filed under sections 147, 148, 149, 426 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code and a few arrests were made. Due to a lack of sufficient proof, however, the suspects were later released on bail.

Dr Howell said that similar attacks on Christians by Hindu extremists last June meant that "the hand of radical Hindu extremist groups cannot be ruled out".

"It is disheartening that the print media has wrongly reported the incident, accusing the villagers for the attack and safeguarding the suspected Hindu militant groups," he said.

Dr Howell added that Christians in the area are unwilling to speak out against these anti-social elements because they fear that any such "provocation'' could adversely affect their educational and service institutions.

"Please pray that the police will take active part in finding and arresting the perpetrators of the crime and also pray for the safety of the Christians in this area," he said.

Dr Howell also reported the kidnapping of two believers in Madhya Pradesh, where a group of Bajrang Dal activists attacked a house church in Pathigawan village under Nayagadi police station in Madhya Pradesh on Friday morning.

They also kidnapped Gospel Echo Mission Society (GEMS) missionaries, Vijaya Kumar Morya and Keera Lal.

The activists attacked with swords, sticks, knives and other instruments. Two believers were critically injured in the attack and are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

According to EFI colleagues, eight men led by AP Sakhi, the Bajrang Dal area secretary, came on motorbikes with Bajrang Dal flags at around 8 am on Friday and surrounded the house where worship was taking place. They beat the two kidnapped believers mercilessly before taking them away on their bikes.

At this moment, the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims are unknown.

A case under sections 341, 294, 323, 506 and 39 of the Indian Penal Code has been filed in Nayagadi Police Station and the Rewa district Deputy Inspector General of Police has also been informed.

Dr Howell said, "We earnestly request your prayers for the safe return of our missionaries and the situation to be under control."