Attacks on Christians Spread Beyond Orissa

You can read the full story at Assist News here.

Terrible violence against Christians in the eastern India state of Orissa has now spread to the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

INDIA (ANS) -- As Christians in four districts of the eastern India state of Orissa continue to suffer attacks from extremist Hindus, the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh is now also witnessing atrocities against Christians.

This has been reported on the UK-based web site www.christiantoday.com

Their story states that around 100 unknown attackers armed with lathis weapons (sticks) and petrol (gasoline) 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," continued the Christian Today story.

               

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

"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."