A Christian pastor was "mercilessly" beaten to death by Maoist rebels in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Fides News Agency reported.
In a belated report, the news agency said Pastor Yohan Maraiah was killed on July 29 by the Maoists who left a note at the murder scene accusing him of being "a police informer" and "accumulating disproportionate wealth [by] exploiting Tribals."
Sajan K. George, chairman of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said this was not the first time that Pastor Yohan had been targeted by the Maoist rebels.
"He suffered several attacks and had his church torched more than once. However, he remained strong in his unswerving faith in Jesus Christ," George said.
According to police reports, at least 100 militants affiliated with the Naxalite communist group, came to the village to take Pastor Yohan away. They dragged him to a nearby forest where they "mercilessly beat him to death, and left him on the outskirts of the village," the report said.
The killing was just the latest incident showing the dangers faced by Christians living in India. Christians in the Hindu-majority country face threats not only from Maoist rebels but also from Hindu extremists, with the central government offering little protection, according to Fides News Agency.
In June, Christians living in Hunter village in the state of Jharkhand received an order from the police banning them from worshipping, the Morning Star News reported. At the same time the Christian residents were threatened with death by Hindu radicals.
The police threatened to impose fines on Christians who defy the ban on worshipping.
However, Christian leaders in the area, including Rev. Akash Nandi, vowed that they will never deny their faith even in the face of threats to their lives and beatings.
"Do whatever you like, we are not going to leave Christ at any cost," Nandi recalled the remarks made by the Christians in the village.
