AMBIKAPUR, India — Hindu extremists disrupted a prayer service in Ambikapur on Feb. 23, accused the pastors of forceful conversion, beat them and damaged motorcycles.
One source said Pastor Joseph Toppa was leading the prayer meeting at the house of Parmeshwar Lakda when the Hindu extremists barged in at about 7 p.m. The extremists belong to three groups affiliated with the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Police arrived and, as is customary in India, arrested the victims; officers took about 30 Christians to the police station. Local Christian leaders intervened and the Christians were released at about 11:30 p.m. after giving their statements. There were no serious injuries.
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