Missionaries hospitalized after extremist attack

KOIKONDA, Orissa state, India — Extremists encouraged Hindu residents of a village in Malkangiri district, Orissa state, India, to attack Christian residents Jan. 24, leaving at least 10 Christians injured with two requiring hospitalization.

Four missionaries from the Indian Evangelical Team and 14 Christian families were at a believer’s house in Koikonda village when members of the Hindu extremist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh apparently gathered a group of about 50 people, who surrounded the home and demanded that the missionaries come out.

As soon as the missionaries complied, the mob started beating them and then attacked other Christians in the house. One of the missionaries, Vijay Kumar, fell unconscious and did not regain consciousness until three days later. He and missionary Baldas Gopal were hospitalized with serious internal injuries.