Church burned by angry mob in Bangladesh

KINAMONIPARA, Bangladesh — An angry mob set fire to a church in a remote area of Bangladesh March 30, capping a year of extreme hostility toward villagers who had converted from Buddhism to Christianity.

While Bangladesh is a majority Muslim country, Buddhism flourishes in small pockets like Pancchari subdistrict, where the attack took place. Immediately after the attack, a Bangladesh army contingent was deployed to Kinamonipara village in Pancchari to prevent further violence, according to local media reports.

Christians attacked in Pancchari have been told not to contact higher authorities or seek hospital treatment or they would face greater persecution.