Indian missionaries released on bail after being beaten

Eleven Gospel for Asia missionaries in India have been released from prison on bail after being beaten by a mob of Hindu extremists. The missionaries were arrested on the second day of a three-day believers convention in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh.

The event was attended by around 2,500 Christians, and included worship and Bible studies.
At the end of the second day of the conference, local Hindu extremists, politicians and police reportedly entered the gathering and beat those attending with iron rods, sticks and chains.

The 11 missionaries leading the conference were arrested under the states “Freedom of Religion” law, which imposes fines and prison sentences on converting people to Christianity or Islam.

The missionaries also filed a complaint with the police about the beating but the police did not accept it.

Gospel for Asia said that some of its leaders would be meeting the chief minister of the state to discuss the matter together with other prominent Christians.

Speaking to Asia News, KP Yohannan, the President of Gospel for Asia said, “Instead of arresting the people who were beating up the Christians and causing such havoc, the police arrested 11 of our missionaries and took them to prison.”

He continued, “They’re accused of forcing people to convert to Christianity, which never happened. Now they have to go to court to defend themselves.

“We are praying for these people who are opposing Christians and beating up the missionaries, that somehow God will touch their hearts.”