Christian compound in India put under siege

Christian compound in India put under siege

SIKARIA, India — A mob of Hindu extremists surrounded a Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS) mission compound in Rohtas district, Bihar state, India, Aug. 31 and kept it under siege for three days.

The mob attempted to kill Augustine Jebakumar, director of the mission, and demanded his arrest for allegedly desecrating a Hindu idol. The trouble began when a group of young people taking part in a religious procession passed the GEMS compound in Sikaria village.

When Jebakumar objected to the noise, a man in the procession hit him on the nose and others joined in the attack.

The mob then hit the Christians with sticks and stones, injuring at least 12. Four were seriously injured; two were later hospitalized.