EFI: Persecution in Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh

About 500 Christians participated in the sit-in protest against the incident organized by the local dstrict Christian community.

Images: CSF (Catholid-Christian Secular Forum)

(CHHATTISGARH, India ICAN) - On 8 February in Rajnandgoan, Raipur, police registered an First Information Report (FIR) against two pastors after a mob of Hindu extremists barged into the special meeting of Indian Christian Assembly of God Church and beat up Christians, injuring four. The extremists forcefully entered into the meeting attended by about 300 Christians from the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, abused Pastor (s) Kuriakos and Thomas Abraham and believers of forceful conversion, and beat them up.

The extremists also tore up the Bibles and other gospel tracts and damaged furniture and vehicles belonging to the Christians’. Four believers received serious injuries and received treatment in a local hospital. However, the police registered an FIR against pastors Kuriakos, Thomas Abraham and one church member under 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. A case has also been registered against the extremists.

About 500 Christians participated in the sit-in protest against the incident organized by the local district Christian community. At press time, no arrests have been made. In another incident on 18 January in Saranggarh, Rajgarh, Hindu extremists stormed the Christians prayer meeting conducted at the house of one believer, accused the pastors of forceful conversion and beat them up. Pastors Rajesh Yadav and Raju Dewangan were beaten up badly. No case has been registered

Pastor, believer beaten up in Madhya Pradesh

On 9 February in Nanpur, Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Hindu extremists barged into the worship meeting of the Philadelphia church and beat up Pastor Jorder Chauhan and one church member, Imam Singh, resulting in severe injuries.

The extremists accused Pastor Chauhan of forceful conversion and started to beat him up with sticks and stones. They also attacked the church member, Imam Singh who tried to rescue the pastor. Both, who had sustained injuries were hospitalized for three days.

The extremists told the Christians that they cannot worship Jesus in the village and they should go to foreign countries if they want to worship Christ, said area church leader, Rev. Wicalson. The police registered a case against nine Hindu extremists.

- efi

Source: CSF (Catholic-Christian Secular Forum)