Pastor arrested from home in Madhya Pradesh

Barwani, Madhya Pradesh: 28/06/2008: 10 PM

Madhya Pradesh police accompanied by a crowd of Hindutva zealots disrupted a peaceful prayer assembly today around 10 PM at Barwani and arrested the Pastor and detained the congregation at the police station.

Pastor Hate Singh Rawat who has earlier also been targeted by the Hindutva Fundamentalists of the area, was leading a peaceful prayer meeting at his own home when the local police accompanied by a huge mob of Hindutva activists barged into his home and carried him off forcefully to the police station. The congregation which numbered around 200 was made to follow him as well. 

Reports are still coming in and the last that we heard from the police was that they are investigating and that there is too much commotion in the police station premises. Mr. V K Sisodiya, the police inspector of Barwani Police Station first refused to come on the phone and after many attempts to contact him when he did respond, his reply was a curt, "we are investigating!"

According to local pastors who do not wish to be named, the situation is getting out of hand. The believers, numbering almost 200 have been made to sit in front of the police station, while the Hindutva mob is increasing as they are calling local people to "gherao" the police station. The pastors said that in all probability the Christian leaders will be charged with false cases because the pressure on the police is increasing.

We solicit your prayers for them.

You can also call the Barwani police station at +91-7290-222044. You can send emails to the Superintendent of Police, Barwani, Mr. P K Mathur at sp_badwani@mppolice.gov.in and call him up at +91-7290-222561.

City police entry into church angers pastors

TNN
HYDERABAD: The presence of police at the 40-year-old Hebron Church in Golconda crossroads on June 8 has angered the congregation.

With two groups trying to gain control over the church, police reportedly entered the premises and detained three pastors.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, senior pastor John Stuart said the Chikkadpally police interrupted the pastors' prayer on June 8 and manhandled elders and pastor G T Benjamin (75) apart from detaining three others.
"Police entered the church with shoes on and terrified the pastors," John Stuart alleged. He said police should not interfere in the matters of church.
On June 8, the pastors of the church alleged, police took charge of the entire service proceedings and ensured that F C S Peter, retired Chikkadpally assistant commissioner of police (ACP) K Lakshmi Naik, however, denied the allegations that police had entered the church.

He said police personnel had been posted near two gates of the church to prevent any clashes.engineer-in-chief, roads and buildings department, and presently director-general, National Academy of Construction, preached from the pulpit.
Peter is said to be a relative of chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Times of India, 15 June 2008

Pastor attacked in Chhattisgarh

Masihi Mandir, an Independent Church, pastored by Rev. Nelson Daniel was vandalized by a group of about 20-25 Hindu extremists on Sunday June 1st 2008, in Oriya Para, Raipur Naka, Durg, Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place at around 11 am during the worship service. The miscreants shouting Jai Sri Ram (Praise Lord Rama) slogans barged inside the church and disrupted the service and destroyed church furniture. They threatened the worshippers of dire consequences if they continue to worship Christ and falsely accused them of converting Hindus to Christianity.
Rev. S. Das of the Mennonite Church, Bhilai informed the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) that again in the evening around 40 extremists gathered near the Church premises shouting anti Christian’s slogans. The mob claimed they will organize more attacks on the churches in the area.
An FIR has been lodged against the unknown persons under Section 295, 147, 323 of Indian Penal Code.
A group of concerned Christians led by Rev. Arpan Tarun, met the Collector Shri. Subrat on June 2, 2008 and submitted a memorandum. They also spoke to the Superintendent of Police (Rural) Shri. Thakur requesting appropriate action to be taken against the culprits. The delegation was assured of the support of the administration.

Source: EFI