Probe team indicts Catholic centre

THE HIGH Court-appointed special police team that probed the functioning of a Christian retreat centre in Kochi has filed a preliminary report making serious charges against the centre.

After a six-month investigation, the team has registered a case against the director of the centre, Father George Panackkal, and nine other office-bearers, including nuns- They have been booked under various charges, including forceful confinement, causing hurt by poison, cheating and destroying evidence. –

The team is learnt to have found that during 1996-2006, 927 “mysterious deaths” took place at the centre, and on many occasions the bodies were disposed of without informing the police. Documents were allegedly forged to make the deaths appear natural, the FIR said, demanding a detailed probe into the deaths.

Claimed to be the largest Catholic healing centre in the world, the Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor, near Kochi, was in the news recently after one of the believers sent an anonymous letter to the High Court. The letter reportedly carried serious charges, including of sexual harassment, forceful confinement and murder, against the centre.

The court suo motu constituted a team headed by Inspector General of Police Vincent M Paul.

“Prima facie, we found some of the charges against the centre were right. A high-level inquiry is needed. So we filed an FIR. We are proceedthg agathst them,” IGP Paul told the Hindustan Times.

In the centre, the probe team found that people were locked up in cells in the name of healing. Those showing violent behaviour were often injected with unknown drugs by untrained persons.

Besides the FIR filed at the Koratty police station, the team has also filed a report before a magistrate recommending a probe into the foreign funding of the centre.
Reacting to the police action, Father George Panackkal said, “It is a concerted bid to destroy the centre. We are yet to see the details of charges filed against us.”

Source: Hindustan Times

 

Kerala police finds irregularities in Christian prayer centre

Police Monday filed a formal complaint against a leading Christian faith-healing centre in Kerala on the basis of the findings of a court-directed probe into allegations of criminal activities there.

From correspondents in India, 30 Apr 2007 - (www.indiaenews.com)

Police Monday filed a formal complaint against a leading Christian faith-healing centre in Kerala on the basis of the findings of a court-directed probe into allegations of criminal activities there.

The court-appointed special investigation team filed a first information report (FIR) at the police station here indicting Fr George Pannackal, director of the Muringur Divine Retreat Centre near Trissur district, and 10 other members of the staff, including nuns, confirmed Inspector General of Police Vincent Paul.

'In order to go ahead with the investigation an FIR is required and we have filed it. The director and 10 others have been named in the FIR,' Paul told IANS.

Acting on various complaints, the Kerala High Court had in March last year asked Paul to submit a report on allegations about criminal activities going on at the centre and irregularities in foreign funds received by it.

The centre, billed as Asia's biggest of its kind, was subjected to a surprise inspection by a joint team of police and state health department officials in September.

The inspection detected irregularities in the manner in which the centre was treating a large number of patients suffering from depression and alcoholism.

Following the scrutiny, politicians in the state, cutting across the party lines, raised a hue and cry while Pannackal urged the court to stop the inspections.

Justice R. Basanth dismissed the petition and ruled that the court has the right to order inspections even if it is a place of worship or prayer.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)

 

Technorati tags: Kerela, anti-christian propaganda, false cases

Five arrested for attack on Pastor Walter Massey

Jaipur, April. 30(PTI): Five persons were arrested today by the police in connection with the assault on a pastor Walter Masih at his house in the Nandpuri area here.

In a shocking incident, a group of 20 masked youth had barged into the house of Masih yesterday and beat him up badly with lathis alleging that he was indulging in religious conversions.

The five persons were identified as Suresh(20), Vimal(27), Pratap Singh(42), Mukesh Singh(20) and Ganesh Singh(25), all slum dewellers from Bhojpura kachchi basti.

Masih said in the FIR that he had received multiple injuries after being manhandled by the assailants.

Meanwhile, nearly two dozen members of congress accompanied by some Christian community representatives met Governor Pratibha Patil and demanded a probe.

State Pradesh Congress Committee President B D Kalla termed the beating of the pastor as inhuman and demanded immediate action against the police for remaining "mute spectators".

State Home Minister G C Kataria told PTI that the government will take stern action against all those who were behind this act. "It does not matter what brigade or outfit they belong," he said.

Members of Jaipur Christian Fellowship has also organised a peace march to express solidarity with the victim.

Source: The Hindu

Technorati tags: attack on Christians, attack on faith, Rajasthan

Christian preacher attacked in Jaipur

Special Correspondent

Masked intruders go on rampage in house in the vicinity of Chief Minister's official residence

— Photo: PTI

BEFORE AND AFTER: Getting ready for the attack on preacher Walter Massey are some men who are covering their faces.

JAIPUR: Masked youth attacked and seriously injured a Christian preacher and went on the rampage in his house in the neighbourhood of the official residence of the Rajasthan Chief Minister here on Sunday afternoon. Walter Massey has been admitted to the emergency ward of the Sawai Man Singh Medical College Hospital here. Authorities there termed his condition stable. No arrest has been made so far.

Mr. Massey runs a small congregation, `Masihi Sanghti,' from his middleclass residence at Nandpuri Bazar. The intruders, numbering 15-20, used sticks and whatever came in handy to attack Mr. Masseyin the presence of his wife and child.

His wife Joyce told this correspondent that initially three persons came seeking to meet her husband. When the door was opened, they engaged the preacher in a conversation and in no time started assaulting him. And more men, covering their faces, joined in the attack.

As the attackers dragged a profusely bleeding Massey out of the house, a neighbour Samuel Roberts, who was passing by, rushed to the Sodala police station, half km away.

Ms. Joyce and the child were not hurt though the intruders broke plastic chairs, utensils and furniture.

— Photo: PTI

The image of the bleeding missionary.

Mr. Roberts said there were around 25 men, who covered their faces and were wielding sticks, outside Mr. Massey's residence.

Assailants on video

Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Subhash Vishnoi said the police were trying to identify the persons spotted on a video on the incident telecast by some TV channels. A case has been registered.

The Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind condemned the attack.

Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot termed it a "very serious matter" and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.

"Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers have once again taken law into their own hands in the name of stopping religious conversions in the State and this is condemnable." CPI (M) State secretary Vasudev said, "The Chief Minister and the Home Minister should take the responsibility for the attack," which occurred in the Civil Lines locality."Hardly four days ago did workers of the BJP-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad attempt to attack the CPI (M) State headquarters on Hatwara Road, he alleged.

Engineer Mohammed Saleem, new president of the State Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said the attack put a question mark on the very existence of a government in the State.

Click here for source

VHP, Bajrang Dal goons beat Pastor in Jaipur

VHP, Bajrang Dal goons beat Pastor in Jaipur

Event is captured by news channels

By Vijayesh Lal

29^th April 2007: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Walter Massey, a Christian pastor was attacked by VHP and Bajrang Dal goons without any provocation. At about 12:30 – 1:00 pm, all of a sudden 20 – 25 VHP and Bajrang Dal people stormed inside Pastor Walter’s home and started beating him.

The attackers were carrying weapons, iron rods, sticks etc. They mercilessly beat Pastor Massey in front of his family and ransacked his home. They broke furniture and destroyed property.

While this was going on a TV camera crew happened to notice the armed brigade with weapons and followed them as they entered Pastor Massey’s home and beat him up mercilessly. This is the version of the camera crew as told to Jaipur Christian Fellowship. There are several questions however. For example how did the camera crew manage to film the attackers while they were getting ready to attack Pastor Massey? How did the camera crew manage to get the tape to so many channels at such a short period of time etc?

A shocked India watched as the 4:00 pm news showed Pastor Massey bleeding from the beatings and being roughed up by the goons, while the family was scared because of the whole ordeal and was unable to help him.

All through the beating Pastor Massey was calling aloud the name of Jesus while people slapped him, beat him with sticks and with metal chairs. Pastor Walter Massey had enough courage to step out of his home and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to the curious but unhelpful bystanders. He also later on spoke to the camera crew about the love of Jesus Christ and how as Christians we pray for our nation. After this he was carried away to the hospital.

The police initially refused to admit an FIR in this case. It was only when Jaipur Christian Fellowship and other organizations exerted pressure that they admitted the FIR. But even after most attackers can be plainly identified as shown on television for some hours at a stretch now, the police still claim that they are yet to identify the attackers and so have admitted an FIR which says that Pastor Massey had been attacked by unidentified men. The FIR does not mention the VHP or the Bajrang Dal in spite of the attackers themselves claiming on TV that they belonged to the VHP.

Right now Pastor Massey is in the hospital where he is on IV’s. He has difficulty in walking and his eye has been hurt badly. He was beaten up with iron rods so most of his injuries are internal, but he is unfazed. His family however is finding it difficult to cope with the situation. His wife Joyce saw him getting beaten up and his 6 year old daughter is terrified.

Pastor Massey has been in Rajasthan for a long time. He is an ex-worker of the India Every Home Crusade and right now runs his own house Church by the name of Masihi Sangati Kendra. He lives in Nandpuri, near Hawa Sadak, Jaipur, Rajasthan. He had been threatened for a long time by the Hindutva brigade and had even appealed to the police for protection but was given none.

We managed to get his phone number but he was not available so we spoke to the members of the Jaipur Christian Fellowship (JCF). Rev. Jagdish Chandra Sharma, the secretary of the JCF told us that they had spoken to the Home Minister, Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria and that he had assured them of firm action in the case. However on television Mr. Kataria denied any knowledge of the incident. Mr. Kataria is famous for his anti-Christian stance and played a major role in the persecution of the Thomases from Kota, Rajasthan.

Meanwhile the mud-slinging and politicization of the incident continues. The Congress came out openly against the BJP led government and criticized them of practicing communalism to gain electoral mileage. The TV channels also blamed the BJP led government for its failure to curb the Hindutva brigade.

Please pray for the situation in Rajasthan and especially for Pastor Walter Massey. Please also send letters of concern, and faxes to the following:

	Name	Phone Number
	Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Chief Minister	(Off) 0141-2227351, 2227462 (Fax) 0141-2227687 (Res) 0141-2228712, 2228713, 2228705
	Smt. Pratibha Patil, Governor of Rajasthan	(O) 0141-2228768 (Fax) (R) 2228737
	Shri Umrao Salodia Prin. Secretary to Governor	(O) 2228792 (R) 2275132
Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India			Office Address Room No. 152, South Block, New Delhi, 110001 Office Tel 23012312 23016857 (Fax) Residence Address 7, Race Course Road, New Delhi Residence Tel 23011166, 23018939 23015603(Fax) Parliament House Address Room No. 10, Parliament House, New Delhi 110001 Parliament House Tel 23017660, 23019817 23014255 (Fax)

Church attacked in Hyderabad

A Church in Kabeernagar under Sanathnagar police station in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, has been attacked, resulting in serious injuries to the Pastor and a few women, including a minor girl.

On 15 April 2007, some unknown anti-Christian men entered the church when the worship was going on and attacked the Pastor and the believers, including women and children. They also destroyed the sound system and other electronic items. When objected, they kicked some of the believers and tried to stifle a minor girl.

After the attack, the miscreants fled the scene without leaving any trace of their identity. Later the Pastor and the believers went to police station at Sanathnagar and filed an FIR against them.

The police are investigating the case.

Click here for source

Five held for praying in Hyderabad hospital

Five Christians who visited Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad to pray and distribute Christian literature were taken into custody by the city police on 14 April 2007.

The five people, including Charan, Rajeswari, Sunita and Mary from Tarnaka, visited the hospital to pray for the patients. During their visit, they also distributed Christian literature among the patients.

Some of the junior doctors who noticed them acted as relatives of the patients and listened to them. Then they informed the police who took them into custody.

Click here for source

Church converted to Sikh temple in Punjab

Bajrang Dal activists converted a Christian church into a gurudwara in Lehragaga of Sangrur district of Punjab on April 10, 2007. Later Sikh leaders came to the rescue of the Christians.

Sources told the All India Christian Council (aicc) that Pastor Malok Singh from Lehragaga was falsely accused of rape by Bajrang Dal activists. He was arrested under 109 section of the India Penal Code (IPC) on April 10, 2007 and remained in jail until he was bailed after 9 days.

In connection with the allegation against Pastor Singh, Bajrang Dal activists numbering over 100 came and attacked the church. Aicc was told that church furniture was broken and musical instruments were stolen, A Granth Sahib (Sikh religious scripture) was placed inside the church, holy reading of Granth Sahib was conducted, and church signboard was changed into Gurudwara Sahib.

It has also been reported that Bibles were torn inside the church and large number of Christian literature was taken by two lorries to undisclosed place and reportedly burned.

A source said that Sikh leaders along with police personnel restored the church by removing the Granth Sahib placed inside the church.

Church members have filed a complaint against the Bajrang Dal activists at Lehragaga Police Station for provoking enmity among two religions of Christianity and Sikhism. The complaint against the culprits was lodged under the IPC sections 295, 452, 447, 506, 148, and 149 on April 11, 2007.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr. Balraj Singh reported to the aicc that the District Magistrate has set up an enquiry commission under the leadership of Sunam Sub-Divisional Magistrate to submit a report within two weeks.

No arrests of Bajrang Dal activists have been reported, while pastor Singh was arrested within short time of the complaint against him.

Pastor Singh reported to the aicc that he was severely beaten up in the police station and forced him to accept the allegation against him. He said that a girl was brought by Bajrang Dal activists to his house and then Bajrang Dal activists locked the door from the outside and accused him of rape.

According to a source, Bajrang Dal had a meeting at Lehragaga on April 18, 2007 and submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate to sack the District Superintendent of Police for performing his assigned duty to protect the Christian minorities.

Rashtriya Swayamseva Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party activists have been telling Sikh communities the false allegation that Christians are forcefully converting Sikh communities into Christianity. Hindutva leaders have called for an anti-conversion law in the state of Punjab.

Press Release by Rev. Madhu Chandra of AICC

Christians beaten up in Delhi

Daljit Kaur and Govindra Singh, Sikh converts and members of New Life Fellowship, Delhi were attacked by members of Daljit’s Sikh family on the night of April 14th, 2007. Govindra was badly beaten and Daljit was abducted and taken back to her home in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Govindra, a church elder and his wife lead a church cell group which Daljit attended regularly before the incident.

The incident took place because of Daljit’s family’s unhappiness at her decision to covert to Christianity. The family is further agitated due to Daljit’s refusal to marry her Christian fiancé according to Sikh customs.

According to Open Doors International (ODI), Govindra was warned not to take legal action against Daljit’s family or his life would not be spared.

Pray that the hearts of Daljit’s family members will be softened and that they would respect her decision to be a Christian. Pray that Govindra’s safety and that all three (Daljit, her fiancé and Govindra) would be given strength to face this situation.

*Certain names have been changed for security reasons.

Richard Howell

General Secretary – EFI

Baptist Church in Assam to be made into a car park

Guwahati: The Assam Government has directed a 162 year old First Baptist Church here to hand over its premises to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority GMDA for construction of a multi-storeyed car parking lot. The Council of Baptist Churches is North East India, CBCNEI, also has its headquarters here.

A CBCNEI delegation submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on 14 March 2007, demanding revocation of the government order issued by Revenue Secretary S Thadou.

The Baptist Church, officially known as the War Memorial Chinch, was established in 1845 by Reverend Cyrus Barker, while the CBCNEI is the largest Baptist group in South Asia with 10 lakh [One Million] members. The CBCNEI was founded in the Nineteenth Century by pioneer American Baptist Missionaries like Miles Bronson, author of the first Anglo-Assamese dictionary, and others who championed the cause of the Assamese language when the British introduced Bengali as the official language of the region. The American Baptist Mission which arrived in 1836 AD brought out the first Assamese newspaper Orunudoi [Sunrise] in 1846 AD.

Emerging from Good Friday service, Pastor Aziz-up-Haq described the order as an attack on religious minorities and said it had come at a time when the Centre was talking about minority welfare. Apart from Assamese, Christians, Hmars, Nagas, Khasis and other ethnic communities also worship regularly in either in the main church building or at the adjacent Louis Memorial Hostel auditorium.

My religion, your religion!

The RSS is working out on a strategy with the help of its frontal organization to counter conversion drive of the Christian missionaries in the state

S Santosh.

Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and its frontal organizations like Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram are working on a well-planned strategy to counter conversion activities of Christian missionaries in Rajasthan.

These organisations also sought the help of the BJP government in their efforts to check missionaries’ activities and the government is expected to help them in every possible manner.

The tribal belt of Rajasthan comprising Udaipur and adjoining districts, which are close to Gujarat, are the main target of missionaries to spread Christianity among tribals. The other area of activity is Kota division, which also has sizable tribal population.

Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad has opened its branches in Udaipur, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Rajassmand, Banswara and Pratapgarh. It organized a Rashtra Shakti Sammelan of adivasies at Udaipur in the last week of February. The organisers claimed that over one lakh adivasies had participated in the sammelan. The number of adivasies gathered at Maharana Bhoopal Stadium was far less than the claim but it was an impressive show of strength by the Parisahad.

RSS chief K S Sudarshan, a dozen of sadhus and saffron leaders addressed the gathering. The focus of the sammelan was to send a message to the adivasies that they are part of Hinduism.

Sudarshan held a meeting with some mahantas of the area a day before the sammelan at Sanwaliaji temple near Chittorgarh. A resolution was passed in the meeting that non-Hindu should not be allowed to enter the temple.

The government has started Golwalkar Welfare Scheme for the benefit of adivasies in view of the birth centenary celebration of the former RSS chief M S Golwalkar.

State Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram chief Laxaminarayan Chatak announced to contact 70,000 people during Ramanvami and Hanuman Jayayti to collect funds for the constructions of hostels, opening of schools, Sanskar Kendras and to carry out activities for the welfare of adivasies. He said that the total tribal population of the state is around 85 Lakhs and as per the Christian missionaries' plans they would convert around ten percent of the tribals into the Christianity in the next couple of years.

About a year ago, Emmanual Mission International (EMI), which used to run about five-dozen schools, orphanage and such other institutions in and around Kota, was banned by the government after it’s head M A Thomas and other people were allegedly found engaged in conversion activities. The institutions run by the organization have been taken over by the government.

Rajasthan minister for cooperative Madan Dilawar launched a campaign against the EMI and virtually forced the district administration and the police to register cases against Thomas and others.

Thomas challenged the government order in the Rajasthan high court, but the single judge bench of the court rejected his plea saying that the government decision was very much in order. But the government lost the case, when it went to the two-judge bench.

Around this time, the Vasundhara Raje government passed an Anti Conversion Act in the assembly. But when it was sent to governor Pratibha Patil for her ascent, she declined to approve it. She sent it back to the government saying that this king of act could be made only by the central government.

She said that if government is not satisfied with her decision it could directly sent the bill to the President and since than the matter is lying with her. The government has taken the stand that similar kinds of bills were passed by MP, Orissa and some other states and were approved by the governor of those states.

The police had registered a case against Thomas before taking over institutions run by the EMI for publication and distribution of a book Hakeequat, which allegedly carries derogatory remarks against Hindu gods. The government banned the book immediately. The police issued arrest warrant against Thomas. The case is still before the court and the Supreme Court recently gave a directive to the state government not to arrest Thomas till any further order.

Palm Sunday meeting attacked by Dharma Sena in Jabalpur, 7 Christians injured.

By Vijayesh Lal

1st April 2007: Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

A Palm Sunday gathering was brutally attacked by Dharma Sena activists resulting in injury for seven Christians and one Dharma Sena man.

Members of the St. Paul’s Church belonging to the Church of North India have celebrated the Palm Sunday for the last 20 years by carrying out a procession which starts from the Church in Gokulpur, Jabalpur and ending at the mountainous terrain of the COD, Jabalpur. It has been a tradition for the members to fast the whole day and to break the fast with prayers at the COD. This year was no different with about 250 people gathered in the rally. Many among them were women and children. Police permission had been taken and the administration was in the know how of it.

At about 6:00 pm, when the final prayer was going on all of sudden 30 – 35 Dharma Sena people led by Yogesh Agrawal and other office bearers of the Dharma Sena attacked the crowd. The Sena activists were fully armed with swords, baseball bats, huge bamboo sticks and knives. Since prayer was going on most of the people had their eyes closed and this came as a surprise to them.

First the Dharma Sena people damaged the vehicles of the people breaking glasses and smashing windows and headlights. Then they turned their attention to the Pastors beating them black and blue. Pastor James Masih who is the presbyter in charge for the St. Paul’s Church at Gokulpur was beaten mercilessly and has suffered internal injuries.

The Dharma Sena people then turned their attention to women and children and started beating them with baseball bats and sticks. According to eye witnesses, women were pulled by their Chunnies (cloth used for head and body covering), which amounts to outraging the modesty of women. Even children were not spared. Pastor James Masih’s 5 year old son, who was playing the Congo drum, was beaten by bats.

The food which was meant for fasting people after the prayers was also spoiled by the attackers.

Mrs. Rajni Dilraj, who was also beaten up, told us, “I was having my eyes closed when the attack took place all of a sudden. They beat me on my hands repeatedly with sticks and my hand is in a lot of pain.”

Mr. Rajnish Daniel also an elder in the Church was leading the prayers when the attack took place and he was roughed up very badly. He spoke to us of his injuries. He also told us, “The Dharma Sena people used a lot of abusive language against the women in particular. They also abused our religion and hurled insults at the Christian religion in general.”

When the Christians saw that they are surrounded a few of them started throwing stones at the Dharma Sena activists in self defense. Seeing this, the Sena people fled, but one of them while getting away lost his balance and was hurt a little because of falling down the cliff.

It was not until late that the police decided to admit an FIR against the Dharma Sena activists. One motorcycle belonging to a Dharma Sena man was captured by the police although we do not know about the status of the arrests of the attackers.

The media has chosen to call this a communal clash instead of highlighting the plight of the minority Christian community.

Concerning this incident the Jabalpur Pastors Association has called for an urgent meeting at CARAVS on Monday morning, where in the course of action will be decided.

Jabalpur has been in the eye of the storm for long now and Christians have been intentionally been targeted by the Hindu Fundamentalists and the administration together. This was also observed by the members of the National Minority Commission while on their visit to Jabalpur especially in the wake of the many incidents against the Christian community in the past year.

The Dharma Sena as usual is claiming forcible conversions which is laughable considering that only Christians were gathered for the observance of the Palm Sunday. But a greater question remains, which is: Has the BJP government in the state given the law and order machinery in the hands of the Dharma Sena and anti-social elements like them? For if conversions were alleged why the police was not sent there by the administration?

There have been too many instances in Jabalpur to clearly point out that the administration is hands in glove with the anti-social Hindutva fundamentalists in the persecution and attacks on minorities. Now whether they do this by choice or under direction of their political masters is a question to be answered.

Pastors attacked and arrested in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh

Kuddupur, Jaunpur

On Sunday March 25 2007, the Church service carried out by the ‘Prabhu Yeshu Seva Samiti’ was being observed from a distance by a group of four police men. As the service drew to a close, one of them, the sub-inspector came forward and asked to meet the Pastor. He was led to an inner room of the Church, and started to ask Pastor Rajendra Chauhan a few questions. The Church regularly drew a following of more than a 1000 people every Sunday for the past more than three years, and the 25th of March was attended similarly.

While the questioning was going on, a jeep drew up close to the Church compound, and the Inspector from the Police Station Line Bazaar stepped out. He came in shouting loudly and to take Rajendra Chauhan and any other pastor to the police station. Thereby, amidst protests, Rajendra Chauhan and another leader of the church, Subhash Patel were taken forcibly to the police station at Line Bazaar.

We have not been able to get in touch with Rajendra Chauhan or Subhash Patel since then. When we spoke with the Police Inspector Ram Ji Singh on the 26th afternoon, he mentioned that Pastor Rajendra and Subhash had been presented before the Magistrate and have been sent to jail. He said the duo have been charged with hurting religious sentiments under section 295 (A) of the IPC. Besides this, they have also been charged under sections 298 and 125 of the IPC. Mr. Ram Ji Singh appeared every bit biased even as he informed us as to how the Pastors have insulted Hindus and have injured Hindu pride.

Members of the congregation, who are women in majority, were brutally beaten up by gangs of men waiting on the only road that connects the Church in village Kuddupur to Jaunpur. One kilometer away from the village, the area known as Ram Dayal Market is the only approach road to catch public transport for members to reach back home. Traders of the market and fundamentalists beat everyone they could see with big wooden sticks and wooden benches taken out from their shops. Frantic calls made to the police station did get some response, but even after the police force came, they made no attempt to stop the melee. The violence stopped only when all the congregation members ran helter-skelter to save themselves.

There have been requests made to the police station earlier to provide protection to the ongoing meetings but so far these requests and FIR’s have fallen on deaf ears. The copies of the same will be available with the Pastors. This seems to be a well planned and organized attack against the Christian community. No Counter FIR’s from the Pastors have been entertained by the police who are busy beating and abusing the pastors every instance they get, eye witnesses have reported. Even now reports are coming of instances of violence against members of the Church by the fundamentalists. Pastor Rajendra’s mobile has been snatched away too.

Please call Thana Incharge Ram Singh at 09415904475 and also at 05452-261421. Please also call the SP at 05452-261203 / 261660 email: spjnr@up.nic.in to register your concern and protest.

Pastors arrested in Madhya Pradesh

Pastor Juan Singh Sesobia (24) and Thogabai (25) from Khargaon district of Madhya Pradesh have been arrested on the 16th March 2007 by the local police.

The police have made a case of 295 A against them. This is a non bailable offense and means that the Pastors may have to spend a long time in jail before they are able to secure a bail.

Information has it that the police acted on the behest of a local Hindu extremist leader named Thakur.

Peace Returns To Bible College In India, 5 Still Hospitalized

Source: Assist News Service

Calm has returned to a Gospel for Asia (GFA) Bible college in Orissa, India, a week after students were assaulted and the buildings ransacked in an attack led by anti-Christian extremists.

The peaceful resolution to the volatile situation came Wednesday, March 7, after a meeting of Bible college administrators, about 20 representatives from the village and B.K. Luke, who oversees GFA's work in Orissa.

"One week ago they were hitting us and now they are shaking our hands and hugging us," Luke said. GFA leaders in the area report the attack was spearheaded by a handful of anti-Christian extremists who took advantage of a land-use issue involving the Bible college and the village. Dozens of students were injured in the Feb. 28 attack, and several of the buildings on the campus were ransacked.

The extremists demanded that the school be closed and that all GFA work in Orissa be stopped. Five people from the school -- four male students and one female staff member -- remain hospitalized as a result of their injuries.

Pastor in India Tied, Beaten with Wooden Clubs

Police collude with Hindu extremists to lure church planter into forest.

MUMBAI, India, March 13 (Compass Direct News) - Police officers and members of a Hindu extremist group in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday (March 11) lured a pastor into a remote forest, where the extremists tied his hands and feet and beat him with wooden clubs as they accused him of offering money for Hindus to convert to Christianity.

Pastor Bakhthula Anand, 48, of Bethesda Prayer House in Ambojipeta village, Medak district, is undergoing treatment for severe swelling and exhaustion after he managed to reach his home yesterday morning (March 12) at 9 a.m. despite barely being able to walk. His wrists and ankles were bleeding and swollen after the extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) untied him and left him deep within the forest at 3 a.m.

The previous day, as Pastor Anand was reading the Bible alone in his home adjacent to the church, two policemen came and told him that the Ramayampet circle inspector wanted to meet with him.

"As we were walking, a short distance away, a group of around 25 to 30 Hindu extremists belonging to the RSS joined them", Pastor Anand said.

A little later, the RSS extremists shoved Pastor Anand, surrounded him and forced him to walk towards a forest area about six kilometers (four miles) from Ambojipeta village. The policemen disappeared in the confusion en route.


"Pastor Anand recognized one of the extremists – though he did not know his name - as he had attended Sunday worship at the Bethesda Prayer House occasionally for the past six months," said Dr. Sajan K. George, president of Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

Pastor Anand noticed that one of the RSS extremists had a bag containing ropes and wooden clubs.

"They took me to an isolated area in the interior part of the forest, tied my hands behind my back, and also tied my feet," Pastor Anand said. "The RSS activists slapped and abused me, alleging that I was using money to allure people to convert to Christianity."

The person who had attended the services at the Bethesda Prayer House made loud and angry allegations that he was witness of Pastor Anand telling people to convert. He also accused the pastor of luring people with improved economic status if they embraced Christ.

The extremists beat him with wooden clubs and sticks on his arms, legs and body as they questioned him into the wee hours of the night.

Ramayampet Circle Inspector Yadagiri Raju and Anil Kumar, sub-inspector of Shankarampet police sub-station, both denied calling Pastor Anand to the police station or having any knowledge of the assault on him.

At press time, doctors at a private facility in Ambojipeta village were examining Pastor Anand for internal injuries.

Lionel Francis, local Telangana coordinator for the GCIC, told Compass that he was awaiting medical reports before filing a First Information Report.

"This is a pattern of behavior with the RSS in this Telanga area," Francis said. "The RSS run a well-knit spy network to attack independent pastors. They attend Christian prayer services, pass on information and then plot to attack the pastors."

In the Telanga area, he added, members of the youth wing of the RSS frequently disrupt prayer services and make lewd comments to pastors walking along the road, besides making threats of physical abuse.

"But nothing can be done, as they have the tacit support of the police," Francis said. "At times," Francis said, "these RSS guys masquerade as police officials and take pastors into the forest and murder them."

Pastor Anand planted Bethesda Prayer House in 1995 and has a congregation of around 200 believers. He has a network of small churches that he has planted in Telangana Region.

Compass has reported on four previous murders of Christians in Andhra Pradesh. Pastor Goda Israel, 29, was found dead with stab wounds on February 20 in a canal in Krishna district of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Two pastors, K. Daniel and K. Isaac Raju, were killed near Hyderabad, the state capital, in May 2005.

And on September 11, 2000, two unidentified persons beheaded Pastor Yesu Dasu, 52, on the outskirts of Mustabad in Andhra Pradesh’s Karimnagar district.

www.compassdirect.org

Christians in Punjab Victimized for Exercising Their Civil Rights inState Election & Pastor Beaten in Rajasthan

New Delhi, March 12, 2007 (All India Christian Council)

Three pastors have been arrested and charged with attempts on thelives of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists in Bathinda, Punjab.They were sentenced by a district magistrate to 24 days policecustody under section 307 of Indian Penal Code. Sources told the AllIndia Christian Council the allegations are false and the factscontradict reports by local media which carried fabrications from VHPand Bajrang Dal activists. Another pastor was beaten in Rajasthan andpolice refused to take his complaint.

Fifteen women were having prayer in Pastor Amit Sidhu's home inBathinda, Punjab on March 10, 2007, when a group of VHP and BajrangDal leaders came and asked them to stop. The matter was brought tothe attention of other local Christians and there was a clash betweenthem and VHP and Bajrang Dal activists.

One source told the All India Christian Council that a VHP activistwas severely injured and later Pastor Kulwan Raj, Chootta Singh andHarfool Singh were booked with an attempt on the lives of VHPactivists.

On the following day, Vijay Bhardwaj, the general secretary of theVHP, and Sumit Kumar, co-coordinator of the Bajrang Dal, led a group50 Hindutva activists and attempted to attack the occupants of PastorAmit Sidhu's house. Police forces had to disperse the crowd withlathi charges and it has been reported that some of them sufferedinjuries.

Gurjit Romana, Station House Officer of city police station, whoprotected the Christians from VHP and Bajrang Dal attack has beensuspended.

The three accused pastors were produced before magistrate today andthey have been put in police custody for 24 days.

"Christians were targeted because they exercised their rights offranchise, and the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists were angry thatChristians voted against their political alliances," one victimizedChristian said.

Christian women have given a complaint to local police against VHPand Bajrang Dal leaders for abusing them.

This incident took place less then a month after Akali Dal and itsBJP alliance won the state Assembly election. The Christian communityof the state live in fear of religious fanatics' attack might occuredas it happens in BJP and its allience Government rule states.

Another Pastor Brutally Beaten in Rajasthan

In another incident, Pastor Reginald Howell of Good ShepherdCommunity Churches was brutally beaten by a fanatic group inHanumangarh, Rajasthan, on March 7, 2007. Pastor Howell went there topray for sick people along with other Christians. He was beaten withan iron rod and suffered severe injuries on his back.

He told the All India Christian Council that police refused to takehis complaint against the culprits and forced him to leave the place.He sought medial attention as he was bleeding and doctors refused togive him First Aid in fear of attack from religious fanatics. Hehired a taxi and managed to reach his hometown in Punjab.

The All India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed in 1998,exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, andthe oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indiandenominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Source: AICC

Pastor ambushed, attacked in Bangalore

At 10:15 pm on 11th March 2007, Pastor Matthew was returning home on his two-wheeler after translating the messages into Kannada, at a meeting organized by Pastor Wilson in Chokkasandra, Peenya Dasarahalli, in the northern part of Bangalore. After he filled in petrol and left the petrol bunk, three men in an auto ambushed him on a dark stretch of road, blocking his way by stopping the auto in front of his bike. One man, wearing a cap, came out and beat him on the head with a cricket stump, but he was spared a head injury because he was wearing a helmet. The auto drove off down a dark alley to the side.

Then the attacker aimed a blow at his back, which caused Matthew severe pain. He started beating Pastor Matthew on his arms. Matthew tried to grab the stump, but in the process injured his fingers. He gathered his wits about him and was about to retaliate, and sensing this the man quickly left. Pastor Matthew went to a restaurant nearby which was open and got some assistance. He reached the home of a relative who lived in the area and rested there that night, and took medical help later.

"As it was dark, I could not see much. Also, the fact that I was wearing the helmet also obscured my vision, which is anyway not too good" says Pastor Matthew. I am in severe pain from the injuries which have caused large clots on my back and arms. I cannot sit up for long. Please pray for my early recovery."

"These fellows followed Pastor Matthew after he finished the meeting and left. They had probably been attending the meeting for the last couple of days, watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike", says a well-wisher of Pastor Matthew.

Pastor has planted a church, the Bethesda Prayer Hall, in Cholanayakanahalli, a small village now falling within Bangalore city limits. He is the son of a Pastor, and several of his brothers are also in the ministry, working in the outskirts of Bangalore city. There was an earlier incident in which one of this Broghers, Pastor Daniel, was harassed and forcibly evicted from three housed one after another, by persons opposed to his conducting prayers in his home.

Pray for peace in the city of Bangalore, and for freedom to pray and preach the gospel. Also pray that the Lord would touch the hearts of those showing opposition to the work of the Gospel in this city and all over the state and country.

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VHP men beaten up in Punjab, probe ordered

NAVJEEVAN GOPAL

Posted online: Monday, March 12, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST

BATHINDA, MARCH 11

A day after four Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were beaten up by a group of Christians led by a pastor at Gobindpura village near here, unrest continued with police resorting to cane-charging the protesting VHP activists which left a few injured. A magisterial inquiry was, later, ordered by Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Rahul Bhandari after the SSP’s recommendation.
After the cane-charge, agitated VHP activists raised slogans against the police and local administration, alleging a “partisan role”. They even went on to storm the Kotwali police station and were pacified only after Bathinda SSP Promod Ban personally came to the police station and assured appropriate action in the case.

Accusing DSP (City) Jatinder Singh Khaira and Kotwali Police Station SHO Gurjeet Singh Romana of bias, VHP activists demanded action against them.

“We were peacefully protesting and demanding that a case of treachery be registered against the group of Christians who attacked our activists yesterday and raised anti-national slogans after that,” VHP Punjab secretary Sukhpal Singh Sran, whose turban fell off in the melee, said.

“DSP Khaira abused us and said aaye vadde deshbhagat (Do you consider yourself patriots?) in a teasing tone, before we were cane charged,” Sran alleged.

SSP Ban said SHO Romana had been sent to Police Lines. He said DSP Khaira had also been stripped of the charge of Kotwali police station to allow the inquiry to be conducted in a fair manner.

According to police, the activists, who were more than 20 in number, were trying to forcibly barge into the house of Amit Sidhu, a pastor residing in Partap Nagar, and started pelting stones at his house. Police claimed that the cops had been posted outside the houses of some pastors, who the police feared could be attacked. SHO Romana tried to push a couple of activists away, who retaliated in protest. This led to the cane charge, sources said.

“It was necessary at that time to disperse the crowd,” Ban said and added, “Besides, it was a mild cane charge”. The SSP said no case could be registered till the magisterial inquiry is completed.

Three arrested

Police on Sunday arrested Pastor Kulwant Rai, Harphul Singh and Chhota Singh, named in a case registered under Sections 307, 325, 323, 341, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC for the attack on VHP activists at Gobindpura village. Three more persons, namely Bhola Singh, Prem Masih and Michael, are yet to be arrested.

The four VHP activists, along with a few other activists, were returning from Gobindpura village after “foiling” an attempt by a pastor to “convert” some families into Christianity, when they were allegedly attacked with swords and other weapons.

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Compilation of news briefs from www.compassdirect.org

India Briefs: Recent Incidents of Persecution
by Nirmala Carvalho and Vishal Arora

Maharashtra, March 6 (Compass Direct News) - A mob of Hindu extremists from the Bajrang Dal on March 3 beat two Christians who were distributing tracts at the Kandivli railway station in suburban Mumbai, in Maharashtra state. Pastor Nigel Pereira of Harvest of Grace Church told Compass that Bobby D’Souza, 24, and Sandip Mohite, 21, were distributing Christian literature when a group of 55 to 60 people snatched the leaflets from their hands and began hitting and kicking them. The extremists dragged the two Christians to the Kandivli police station, beating them en route, and filed a complaint against them alleging forcible conversion and denigration of other religions. D’Souza and Mohite were later taken to Bhagwati Hospital for treatment. Abraham Mathai, vice-chairman of the state Minority Commission, told Compass that Pastor Pereira planned to file a complaint against the Bajrang Dal after receiving a medical report. – NC

Madhya Pradesh - About 15 Hindu extremists on March 2 attacked a Christian meeting in the Patakhera area of Madhya Pradesh state’s Betul district, vandalizing and looting the facility. The Christian Legal Association (CLA) reported that the extremists stormed the meeting of the independent church led by the Rev. Avinash Kanchan and started beating the believers, 25 women and five men. They slapped Pastor Kanchan, beat him with shoes and manhandled some others, though no one received serious injury. The attackers threatened the Christians, damaged a motorcycle belonging to Pastor Kanchan and took away his mobile phone, watch and Bible. Kanchan reported the incident to the Patakhera police, but when a CLA representative spoke to the police, an officer claimed no one had filed a complaint. – VA

Orissa - A mob of about 400 people stirred up by Hindu extremists belonging to the Bajrang Dal on February 28 ransacked a Gospel for Asia Bible school in the village of Kutabaga, in the Jharsuguda district of Orissa state, attacking students and staff members. Five persons were hospitalized from injuries in the attack, with one student in critical condition. The mob, armed with sticks, axes and swords, damaged Believers Church and cut electric wires on the campus, which includes the 240-student Believers Church Bible College and office buildings. The roofs of some buildings were damaged. Many extremists left the campus after authorities arrived, but soon another group of Hindu extremists from the Sangh Parivar, a loose association of Hindu militant groups, came and began shouting the slogans, "Hail Lord Rama," and "Hail Lord Bajrangbali." At press time, no arrests had been made. – NC

Maharashtra – A Hindu mother who asked a missionary to help heal her mentally handicapped daughter has pressed charges of "forcible conversion" against him after his prayers failed to improve the child’s condition. Lakshmi Shetty, a widow, requested an independent church leader identified only as Pastor Fernandez to cure her daughter. She had begun attending Sunday worship at the pastor's house in Badlapur, said Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians. On February 26, under pressure from others, George said, she filed a complaint against Pastor Fernandez in Badlapur, a suburb off Mumbai, for allegedly coercing her to become a Christian. "Pastor Fernandez is innocent and the charges are baseless," George said. "The pastor now lives in fear of being arrested." – NC

Chhattisgarh – A mob of around 80 Hindu extremists accused a pastor of forcible conversion, manhandled him and forced him to leave his home after issuing a death threat on February 25 in Chhattisgarh state's Rajnandgaon district. Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said extremists allegedly belonging to the Bajrang Dal, youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or World Hindu Council, surrounded the house of India Mission Church Pastor T.N. Jose in Surgi village at about 7 p.m. on February 25. They asked him to move out of the village by the following day, warning that otherwise they cut him to pieces. The extremists forced him to sign a statement that he had come to the village to convert people to Christianity and that he was leaving on his own will. Fearing for his life, Pastor Jose moved to his relative’s house in a nearby town. The following day, however, the extremists kidnapped his sister, who runs a medical clinic in Surgi village, and locked her in a room. They said they would not release her until they found out where the pastor was hiding, but she was released the same evening. Local Christians have informed the police and demanded protection for the pastor and his family. – VA

Maharashtra – A mob armed with sticks beat five Deliver Church Bible College students on February 19 in Kolshe, near Panvel in Maharashtra state. From 15 to 20 youths used the sticks and their fists to beat Elisha Amolik, 22, Suresh Sonu Masiha, 21, Mishak Kiran Samuel, 20, Bramhanand Pradhan, 22 and Kartik Ekka, 20, who were distributing tracts on the Mumbai Goa highway at Panvel. Pradhan and Ekka sustained severe head injuries, and the other students suffered internal injuries. Doctors at Nagar Palika Hospital refused to treat them without the previous filing of a police complaint, so the students received treatment at a private hospital in Panvel. The students reportedly had prior permission to distribute the literature. Abraham Mathai, vice chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, told Compass the Hindu extremist had the tacit support of the police. – NC

Karnataka – Making accusations of "forcible conversion," Hindu extremists beat pastors and other believers and vandalized a prayer hall on February 17 in Hiriyur area of Karnataka state’s Chitradurga district. Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), said the attack took place at a two-day meeting in a prayer hall in Harishchandra Ghat. The attackers, allegedly belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) and its youth wing Bajrang Dal, assaulted pastor Amul Raj, two guest speakers identified only as Pastor Alanghamani and Pastor Ravi, another guest identified as Sridhar and other Christians. No one was injured in the attack, but "Pastor Raj is still receiving threats on the phone," George said. He added that GCIC submitted a memorandum to the National Commission for Minorities on March 1 stating that at least 28 anti-Christian attacks took place in the state in 2006. – VA

Source: Compass Direct

Missionary attacked in J & K

Kupwara, Kashmir, India - A Salem Voice Ministries missionary in Jammu and Kashmir was attacked on March 6 in Kupwara in Jammua and Kashmir, India.

Pastor Ashir was returning home on Tuesday afternoon after a prayer meeting in a small village Rikwaza, which is about 6 miles away from Kupwara. Suddenly a group of masked people attacked him with steel pipes and wooden sticks. He was severely beaten and one of his legs was broken.

Ashir became unconscious and fell down. Some of the local people found him in the street and admitted him to the hospital.

Local police have registered a case against some unidentified militants.

Tahira, Pastor Ashir’s wife, and their four- month-old child, Noorul Masih, are also under threat.

SVM asks for prayer for the Ashir family and says that few families believe in Jesus Christ in that locality.

Rev. Paul Ciniraj, President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) who is also the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries, condemned the attack against Pastor Ashir.

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Christian pastor assaulted by Hindu extremists in Rajasthan

Pastor Reginald Howell was beaten with iron rods by Hindu militants in Rajasthan. Local police refused to follow up with report against his assailants and instead forced Howell to leave the state. Local law allows use of force to prevent conversions.

A pastor who was praying with a group of sick people was brutally beaten with iron rods by nationalist militants in the western state of Rajasthan.

Pastor Reginald Howell of Good Shepherd Community Church was holding a prayer meeting March 7th with a group of disabled people from Hanumangarh: other Christians from his community volunteers within the community were with him at the time.

Shortly after opening the meeting, a group of armed activists erupted into the prayer hall, beating the pastor on his back with iron rods. Following the attack the pastor made his way to the local hospital where he was refused treatment by doctors for fear of reprisal attacks by fanatics.

Police also refused to file his report against the aggressors and moreover forced him to leave the State and return to his home city in bordering Punjab.

Rajasthan is one of the most intolerant states towards non-Hindus. The Rajasthan Dharma Swatantrik Vidhayak [anti conversion law approved in 2006] permits “all use of force to prevent conversions” and foresees penalties of up to five years imprisonment for those found guilty.

In Rajasthan Christians represent 0.11 % of the population, Muslims 8% and Hindus 89%.
Source: Asia News

Radicals Disrupt Prayer and Peace Festival

A three day prayer-cum healing meeting 5th March - 7th March was organised by Believers Church in Panvel near Mumbai, in Maharashtra was disrupted by Hindu activists who claimed that the Believers Church was trying to lure people to convert to Christianity through the prayer meeting.

A Prayer & Healing Festival was organised by the Believers Church wasat, Panvel from 5th to 7th March.

5th March, the first day of the 'Prayer &Healing Festival' was without any incident.

However the next day March 6th around 100 Right wing Hindu Activistswent to the venue of the meeting on 6th March. As the preaching was going on, some of the radical activists walked towards the dais, grabbed the microphone and said: "Christians have come here to give the message of peace; but all the world wars have started from the European countries. These people are telling you all that, Jesus will cure you of AIDS; but their Pope died suffering from a disease named Parkinsons, why did Jesus not save the Pope's life then? Practise the rituals as prescribed by Hindu Dharmaand you shall be showered by God's blessings."

After these statements the fundamentalists began shouting Hindu slogans: such as 'Jay Bhavani, Jay Shivaji', 'Victory to Hindu Dharma'.

The radicals also lodged the complaint with Kalamboli Police against theorganization for spreading superstition and misinformation.

Source: www.persecution.in

Attack on Pastor in Hyderabad: Three held

The attack on a Pastor at a Harijan Basti in Gudi Malkapur under Asifnagar police station limits in Hyderabad on 27 February 2007 snowballed into a controversy with Hindu activists alleging that he was involved in religious conversion. This caused tension in the area, resulting in the Pastor's supporters and Hindu activists coming to blows. Thereafter both the groups approached Asif Nagar police station to file their respective complaints. There was tension at the police station premises too.

According to the police, Gudi Malkapur Methodist Church Pastor Sudharshan went to the house of B Yadamma and started to preach. When she questioned his motive, there arose arguments between the two, leading to a group fight. Krishna, who was in the crowd started to argue with the Pastor and manhandle him. In the scuffle, both of them were hurt.

Pastor Sudharshan went back to the church and told the youth about what had happened with Krishna. Infuriated, the youth rushed to the place and severely beat up Krishna.

Krishna was taken to Osmania General Hospital with injuries. The police said as per Yadamma's complaint, they booked a case and arrested Pastor Sudharshan, Antony (26), and Kennedy (24). Krishna was yet to be arrested.

Pastor Sudharshan said he did not go to the place to preach but to meet a person named Ashirvadam who was planning to rent out a portion of his house.

Source: AICC

Pastor attacked in Madhya Pradesh

2nd March 2007:

Rev. Avinash Kanchan along with 30 worshippers, most of whom were women, were beaten by around 15 Hindu extremists after a prayer meeting in Patakhera village, Betul, Madhya Pradesh.

The attackers threatened them and warned not to hold any worship service in the village. They also took away Rev. Avinash’s mobile, watch, Bible and bag and damaged his motorcycle.

Pastor Killed in Andhra Pradesh

Pastor Goda Israel (29) was found murdered on Feb. 20, in a canal near his home in Pedapallparru, Andhra Pradesh. Pastor Israel, who supervised 15 churches, went missing following a prayer meeting on Feb. 17. It is reported that he did not come back from the prayer meeting. The family and church members informed the local police station.

It is reported that Israel had been threatened by Hindu militants earlier because of his involvement in preaching the gospel in the region. Israel leaves behind a wife and small children.

He was the second Christian in India to be killed for his faith since Feb. 10, when Mr. Stanley, a retired Public Service Commission employee in the Kerala was stabbed to death by angry young people in his home in Pavaloor.

Pastor Manhandled in Chhattisgarh

On 25th February, 2007 a mob of 70-80 Hindu extremists belonging to Bajrang Dal surrounded the house of Pastor T.N. Jose at around 7 p.m. in Surgi village of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The pastor was manhandled and threatened for life by this mob. The incident took place just as the pastor had sat down for his daily evening prayer.

It is said that the pastor had been given an ultimatum to leave the village accusing him of forcefully converting villagers.

The mob made him put his signature on a plain paper stating that the pastor had come to the village to convert and that he would go from the village of his own free will. The paper also stated that the pastor was not being forced by anyone to leave the village.

Pastor T.N. Jose who is fearing for his life has taken shelter in his brother Pastor T. M. Babu’s house close to the village in Rajnandgaon. Pastor Babu also runs a Bible School under the banner of Indian Christian Mission which is a registered trust.

It must be noted here that the pastor’s sister, a doctor by profession who runs a clinic in Surgi village was also threatened and locked up by the extremists for one whole day. However, she was released in the evening after which she ran through the jungle at night despite the dangers, to reach an area housing a factory which served as a landmark for her brother to pick her up and take her to safety in their brother’s house.

Bible College students attacked and beaten in Maharashtra

GFA founder concerned about "increased beatings" against Christians in India.

NEW DELHI, INDIA — Five young men studying at a Bible college run by mission group Gospel for Asia (GFA) in the Indian state of Maharashtra were reportedly recovering from "severe injuries" Tuesday, February 20, after they were beaten by an angry anti-Christian crowd.

The beatings happened late Sunday, February 18, while they evangelized on the streets of a local village, GFA said in a statement. Two of the students were listed in "critical condition."

The incident allegedly happened after the men, who were not identified apparently for security reasons, departed from their Bible college campus late Sunday for what GFA described as "their usual evening outreach." They "walked about three miles (4.8 kilometers) to a nearby village to give out Gospel tracts entitled ’How to Know God’ and witness to the people," GFA said.

Suddenly, the young men reportedly saw five "angry militants" running towards them. "We’re going to kill you!" the militants were quoted as shouting at the students. "As the extremists began beating the Christians, others joined until 40 anti-Christians were participating in the attack. The beatings continued until all five students were severely injured," GFA claimed.

STUDENTS HOSPITALIZED

The students were rushed to the hospital, but doctors initially refused to treat them saying police should first write a report about the attack, GFA reported. "Finally, after the report was written, the hospital admitted all five of the young men. Two of the men are in critical condition with serious head injuries and bleeding," GFA said.

GFA President K.P. Yohannan said the latest attack was part of a wider crackdown on devoted Christians in India. "Unfortunately, attacks like these are becoming an almost daily occurrence." He said his group had urged supporters to "pray that these young Bible college students will heal quickly and will be encouraged," to continue their activities. He also said GFA still hopes that those who beat the students will become Christians.

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Assam village force Christian to convert to Hinduism

Mob attacks family over conversion in Assam

Rahbindra Narzaree, a resident of Bashbari village,Kokrajhar district Assam, was attacked by his Hindu villagers for refusing to reconvert to Hinduism.

Narzaree had converted to Christianity from Hinduism after getting married to a Christian Bodo lady two years ago.

Villagers subsequently pressured him to return to Hinduism, which he did but he reconverted to Christianity again.

On Feb 6, at a village council meeting, he was again pressured to return to Hinduism.

On his refusal, beaten by a angry mob of Hindus who attacked him with sticks.

Tension prevails around the forest area of Bashbari village under Beshmuri outpost of due to a mob attack on a Christian family on 6 Feb. The family has been facing social boycott for converting to Christianity.

The family took refuge at the Bishmuri outpost under Kokrajhar Police Station.

The police have posted a team of police officials outside the Narzaree's brother's home where the family is taking refuge.

The village is also being patrolled by a police team.

Christian school attacked in Ujjain

Nine arrested for ransacking Christian school in Ujjain

UJJAIN (MP): Nine persons were arrested on Friday for allegedly ransacking a missionary school following the death of two children in a road accident at Barnagar near here, police said.

On the complaint by the school's principal, they were arrested for damaging furniture and breaking windowpanes at St Thomas H S School on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Jaideep Prasad said.

Some Hindu activists attacked the school and accused it of creating a traffic hazard for children by keeping one of its gates closed. They brought down a portion of its wall, damaging some statues after Nikita (four) and Krishnpal (six), were hit by a truck and killed when they were on way to the school, police said.

Mild force was used to disperse the crowd on Thursday, they said.

TOI


Nine arrested for ransacking Ujjain school

Rubina Khan Shapoo

Friday, February 9, 2007 (Ujjain):

Nine people have been arrested in Ujjain after a mob of 150 people ransacked the St Thomas Higher Secondary School on Thursday. The police had to use force to control the crowd.

The mob beat up the father of the school, tore down a wall, broke furniture and window panes after two school children were run over by a truck near the school.

They claimed the accident happened because the school kept one of its gates closed.

The nine arrested include the local Shiv Sena president, a Bajrang Dal leader and a BJP leader. They have been booked for rioting.

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