Buddhist extremists drive Christians from village in Bangladesh

Compass Direct News is reporting that four Christian families in southeastern Bangladesh left their village on Sunday, under mounting pressure by Buddhist extremists to give up their faith in Christ.

Sources told Compass that 20 to 25 Buddhists brandishing sticks and bamboo clubs in Jamindhonpara village, 340 kilometers (211 miles) southeast of Dhaka, began patrolling streets last Friday to keep the 11 members of the Lotiban Baptist Church from gathering for their weekly prayer meetings.

“On Saturday, the Buddhist extremists captured four men and beat one woman who had gathered in a home, threatening to kill them if they did not become Buddhists within 24 hours,” Compass reported.

“Yesterday, the Buddhist extremists attacked the homes of the Baptists two hours before their 1pm worship service, sources said.”

One church member, who requested anonymity, said, “Just two hours before our church service, a group of people swooped into our houses and drove all of us out so we could not attend the church service.”

Compass Direct News said that the Christians captured Saturday night were released after the extremists, who ripped crosses off the walls of their homes, threatened to kill them if they continued praying and worshipping in the area.

After the attacks, all Christians in Jamindhonpara fled, taking shelter in another village, source said. Jamindhonpara is located in the Lotiban area, Panchari sub-district of Khagrachari district.

“When they come, they do not listen to us,” said the church member. “They arbitrarily do whatever they like. The situation is indescribable – they hunt us down the same way that one hunts down a mad dog to kill it.”