DHAKA, Bangladesh — Four Christian families in southeastern Bangladesh left their village May 2 under mounting pressure by Buddhist extremists to give up their faith in Christ.
Sources said 20 to 25 Buddhists brandishing sticks and bamboo clubs in Jamindhonpara village, 211 miles southeast of Dhaka, began patrolling streets April 30 to keep the 11 members of the Lotiban Baptist Church from gathering for their weekly prayer meetings.
On May 1, the Buddhist extremists captured four men and beat one woman who had gathered in a home, threatening to kill them if they did not become Buddhists within 24 hours. The next day, the Buddhist extremists attacked the homes of the Baptists two hours before their 1 p.m. worship service, sources said.
The Christians captured May 1 were released after the extremists, who ripped crosses off the walls of their homes, threatened to kill them if they continued praying and worshiping in the area. After the May 2 attacks, all Christians in Jamindhonpara fled, taking shelter in another village.
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