CHHATTISGARH, India — About 50 Hindu extremists disrupted the Sunday worship service of a church, beat the pastor and church members and stole music equipment July 1 at Gandhi Chowk, Rouabandha, Bhilai Nagar, Durg District, Chhattisgarh state.
“About 30 believers were worshiping at the Living Grace Ministries Church when the extremists belonging to the Dharam Rakshak Sena (Army for Protection of Religion) of the Bajrang Dal (warriors of the Hindutva religion) stormed the church at 11:45 a.m.,” Pastor Sam Mathew, a local representative of the Global Council of Indian Christians, told Compass Direct news service.
The assailants beat Pastor Mannepalli Ramanaiah Israel and Ravi Kumar as well as a female church member, Radhika, with iron rods and sticks, besides punching and kicking them.
They also kicked Bibles and stole all the music instruments. The three Christians suffered several internal injuries. The attackers accused Israel of converting Hindus by offering them money. The police did not register a complaint, though the victims gave names of the assailants to police.
“The situation continues to be tense, as another church member, Raju Sivansi, on July 5 was threatened by some unknown people who said they would break his hands and legs if he went to attend the church,” Mathew said.
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