Modi to release Rs 4,000 million to counter conversions in Gujarat

By Samson Christian

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to release Rs 4,000 million for a month-long programme in August 2005 to develop Dang district, mostly inhabited by tribals. Preparations are on to gather a minimum of three lakh people to attend the inauguration of the month-long programme.

According to sources, the programme is aimed at winning all those tribals who have embraced Christianity. In fact, a re-conversion drive led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been going on for some time with the active involvement of the government.

Their success in winning over hordes of tribals to the Hindu fold is a clear-cut indication to the massive programme under way. In fact, Gujarat has become a laboratory for Sangh Parivar to experiment their hidden agenda.

Sudarshan spews venom

The recent visit of RSS chief K Sudarshan to Sabaridham near Surat is to be seen in this context. Surat lies close to Dang district where the proposed programme is being taken up. Sudarshan has reportedly met different groups belonging to the Sangh Parivar.

Spewing venom on the Christian community, Sudarshan said Christian Popes had converted European Countries to Christianity in the first thousand years. In the next 1000 years they converted African Countries to Christianity. "Now their eyes are on Asia. Of 1 billion dollars collected by the United States, 20 million dollars will be spent on India alone. They are trying to break Hindu community again. There is therefore an urgent need to awaken the country to the harsh reality. It is time for the Hindu Community to gain sufficient power so that none would dare to attack it," he said.

Sudarshan urged the provincial leaders to get ready to face the Christian invasion. He said the disease of conversion was spreading across the country. "On the one hand Muslim terrorists are attacking us and on the other conversion activity is being carried out by Christian missionaries," he pointed out.

He said the Muslim population was increasing in India. "Within next 60 years, their population will surpass Hindus if it increases at the present rate. It is time to take steps to prevent such a population growth. For this, only the re-awakening of the Hindus is the only remedy," he added.

Please click here to go to the AICC site for the source

Jhabua issue burns again

The State Government of Madhya Pradesh on 27th February 2004 set up one man commission namely Narendra Prasad Committee to investigate the violence against the Christian community the District of Jhabua from 11th January to 17th January 2004. The commission seems to have submitted its report to the Government in the month of June 2005. The report blames the church for the violence in Jhabua as result of conversion.

The three-member team namely a senior journalist Lajja Shankar Herdenia, CPI state secretariat member Anand Pande and Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of the Catholic Church of Madhya Pradesh. Went to Jhabua to wanted to study the truth of the report so they visited the Jhabua District from 19th July to 21st July 2005. They visited the leaders of Hindu organizations, political leaders, government officers, non-governmental organizations, Christian representatives, schools, hospitals run by the government and non- governmental organizations, the most violent hit area of Alirajpur, Amkot, Jobat , jobat and the thirteen Christians detained for one and half years in the Alirajpur Jail for the death of Arjunpal, a rioter.

Press Release

BHOPAL: July 23, 2005: A probe panel has found baseless and unfounded the allegation that tribals are being forcibly converted to Christianity in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.

The probe panel comprised journalist Lajja Shankar Herdenia, CPI state secretariat member Anand Pande and Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of the Catholic Church of Madhya Pradesh.

The panel extensively toured Jhabua district for three days from July 19 to 21. During its visit, the panel met representatives of Hindu organisations, Christian missionaries, office-bearers of political parties, government officials and social workers. Besides Jhabua, the panel visited Alirajpur, Meghnagar, Aamchoor, Jobat and scores of small villages and hamlets in the district. The panel visited several government schools and government hospitals to make an assessment of their functioning. The panel also visited the schools and hospitals run by the missionaries.

Almost all the persons the panel met unanimously denied that tribals were being forcibly converted to Christianity. Even Shri Arun Bhatt, who handed over the charge of the Collector of Jhabua on July 19, said that the allegation was not true. Shri Mahesh Agarwal, the well- known pointsman of Hindu organisations who has been leading the campaign against conversions in Jhabua, admitted that many tribals, impressed by the medical services and aid being provided by the missionaries, were embracing Christianity. But even he ruled out any role of coercion or force in conversions. Similar views were aired by young BJP leader and vice chairman of Alirajpur municipal corporation Mr. Pintoo Jaiswal. He said that there was absolutely no basis in the allegation that coercion or inducement was being used to convert tribals. He said that while Hindus were hesitant to "even touch" the tribals, the missionaries readily "embraced" them and served them in every way. The missionaries play a key role in providing services to the tribals. Mr. Jaiswal said that even his children were studying in Christian missionary schools/ "My children have never complained that any attempt was ever made to convert either them or any of their friends to Christianity", Mr. Jaiswal said.

During its visit, the panel also elicited the views of the people about conclusions of the report of the Narendra Prasad committee. Not a single person approved of the conclusions of the report in its totality. However, many people did complain that they did not come to know of the committee's visits to the district. Others complained that the report was silent on the violent and provocative attacks on Christians by the Hindu organisations. They denied that the missionaries were engaged in any sort of anti-national activities. It was pointed out by many that it was primarily due to the vigorous efforts of the missionaries that the literacy percentage among tribal Christians was upwards of 80. "Is it anti-national to serve the sick and make people literate?", a social worker asked.

The probe panel asked several Christian missionaries as to why they did not present their side of the story before the Narendra Prasad committee. The reply was that they were not allowed to meet the committee. The activists of Hindu organisations did not allow the missionaries to enter the places where the committee held its meetings. Especially, the Christians who were victims of the atrocities of Hindu organisations were not allowed to meet the committee.

The probe panel was informed by government sources that Manoj Jadhav was indeed the culprit in the case of rape and murder of Ms. Sujata. He is not insane. DNA test has proved Jadhav's guilt but this fact has not been included in the Narendra Prasad committee report. Instead, by describing Jadhav as insane, the committee has only re- iterated the allegations of the extremist Hindu organisations.

The panel also met Mr. Khum Singh Maharaj, President of the Bhagat Samaj. He had supported the BJP in the last elections. He emphatically said that unless the government put an immediate stop to conversions, "the seventy thousand members of my samaj would beat the hell out of the missionaries and chase them out of this district". Mr. Gum Singh is also unhappy with the BJP. He charged that two BJP leaders, including MLA Mr. Kal Singh Bhanwar and Mr. Suresh Aryal were "amassing wealth".

During its three-day visit, the panel also met former BJP Lok Sabha member Mr. Dileep Singh Bhuria and the new Collector of Jhabua Mr. Rajkumar Pathak. It may be mentioned here that Shri Bhuria has served as chairman of the National commission for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Shri. Dileep Singh Bhuria said that Hindutva had never done any good to the tribals. To say that tribals convert due to inducements is tantamount to insulting them. Christianity gives them a better social status. Mr. Bhuria said that the charge of conversions was being used to build "vote banks".

The Collector Shri Rajkumar Pathak said that the administration would try to identify the reasons behind the conversion of tribals to Christianity. He said that efforts would be made to improve the socio- economic condition of the tribals.

The panel was also told that one of the reasons for the rise in the Christian population in Jhabua was that many Christians facing the onslaught of the Hindutva organisations in the neighbouring Gujarat had abandoned their homes and settled in Jhabua. They chose to settle in Jhabua because they felt safe under the regime of the (then) chief minister Mr. Digvijay Singh.

Source: Persecuted Church of India Yahoo groups

VHP, Bajrang Dal Activists attack a Prayer Meeting at Ratlam, MP

23rd July 2005

Tension prevailed in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh as activists of the VHP, Bajrang Dal and its affiliates attacked a peaceful gathering of Christians on the afternoon of 23rd July 2005.

The Christian meeting was going on at Gujarati Manglik Bhavan, Gandhinagar, Ratlam from the 20th July 2005 and was organized by Pastor Biju Varghese of Miracle Ministries. Pastor Varghese had rented the premises for use for the meeting.

The meeting was primarily a prayer meeting where people were being prayed over for healing of the bodies from any sickness that they might have. Nearly 85 participants, most of the them Christians were attending the prayer meeting in a peaceful manner.

On the 23rd afternoon some activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal descended at the venue of the prayer meeting and demanded to know what was going on. They were using abusive language and soon many more people joined them. They were shouting anti Christian slogans and using disrespectful language against the Christian faith. They were also accompanied by some members of the local media who clearly appeared to be biased.

Some Christians attending the prayer meeting were beaten up and prevented from professing their faith. Jaikar and Antar Singh who were conducting the prayer meeting were also among those who were threatened.

Soon the police arrived on the scene. TI of the Alkapuri Thana, Mr. P N Malviya along with some constables was unable to control the RSS activists who had brought along a video camera and were interviewing and recording statements of the participants forcefully and illegally.

The participants were threatened to give statements that they had been brought to the venue by the organizers in order to convert them.

Such rowdiness continued till the SP Ratlam arrived on the scene and it was only then that some order could be restored.

The activist who attacked the prayer meeting have not been arrested, nor have they been charged of any criminal activity. When the organizers of the meeting tried to file an FIR they were advised not to do so thus denying them of their basic right.

The Christian community in Ratlam is saddened by this gross violation of human and minority rights especially the fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

This incident coupled with other incidents of atrocities against Christians in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the past week only points to a well planned strategy against the Christians of the state by Hindu Fundamentalists.

RSS 'included in US terrorist list', says Congress

Sunday July 24 2005

PTI

BHOPAL: Claiming that RSS was included in a list of 38 terrorist outfits in an US website, Madhya Pradesh Congress on Saturday demanded a high-level probe into it and said the party would raise the matter in the state assembly during its monsoon session, beginning on July 25.

"The website of a research centre in the US shows a list of terrorist outfits active in India. Besides Lashkar-e- Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Jamat-e-lslami and ULFA, the list of 38 outfits also includes the name of RSS", the leader of the opposition in state assembly, Jamuna Devi told reporters here.

Since Chief Minister Babu Lal Gaur takes part in activities of RSS, Congress would raise the issue in the assembly, she said adding that she has also written a letter to governor Balram Jakhar seeking a thorough probe into the activities of rss and the people associated with it in the state.

Demanding resignation of gaur for his alleged links with RSS, Congress legislature party spokesman Sajjan Singh Verma said the issue would be raised prominently in the assembly.

Accusing BJP as well as VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS of spreading communalism in the state for 'political gains', Jamuna Devi and Verma said 'failure' of the government in providing relief to the flood-hit and scandals pertaining to land, pension and mining lease as well as the Dharaji tragedy would also be raised during the session.

Congress would also oppose hike in electricity tariff and alleged corruption in transfer besides highlighting problems like Naxalite and dacoity menace and alleged atrocities on tribals, women and minorities, Jamuna Devi said.

Catholic priest arrested on conversion charge in Madhya Pradesh

Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, July 22 : Following the revelation in an inquiry report that the Christian population in the tribal Jhabua district in western Madhya Pradesh rose by 80 percent, a Catholic priest running a middle school has been arrested on the charge of abetting conversion to Christianity.

Father P T Thomas, director of the St Michael School, run by the Catholic mission at Jhaparda village in this district's Meghnagar tahsil was arrested yesterday under the Freedom of Religion Act.

He was released on a bail of Rs five thousand, Superintendent of Police Umesh Joga said today.

The arrest followed complaints from eight tribal parents that the school management was charging higher admission fees from non-Christians.

''The management had offered the inducement to reduce the fees if they adopted Christianity,'' the parents complained.

''Since the school management had not replied to a show cause notice within the stipulated three days, steps were being taken to cancel the school's recognition,'' said Tribal Development Assistant Commissioner B G Mehta, who is currently holding the charge of District Education Officer.

The complaint was found true during a preliminary inquiry by the Education department, Mr Joga said.

Meanwhile, VHP leader Rajendra Yadav has demanded a CBI inquiry into the activities of Christian missionaries and de-recognition of the school.

A high-level inquiry by former DGP Narendra Prasad into the frequent disputes between Christian missionaries and Hindu activists in Jhabua district revealed that the Christian population in the district had gone up by 80 percent in the past two decades.

UNI

MP Govt may amend Religious Freedom Act

Friday, July 22, 2005 (Bhopal):

The enquiry report into the Jhabua riots of January 2004 is out.

The riots broke out after a minor girl was raped and killed on the premises of a missionary school.

One person had been killed, 15 Christian houses burnt and three churches were vandalized in the riots.

In his report, Retd DG of Police Narendra Prasad concludes that conversions by Christian missionaries was behind the violence.

Biased report?

The report quoting census figures of 1991 and 2001 says that the Christian population in Jhabua rose form 1.32 per cent in 1991 to 1.96 per cent in 2001.

It also claims the Religious Freedom Act of 1968, which makes it mandatory to inform the collector within a week after a conversion has taken place, was flouted.

Also, not a single conversion has been reported to the administration in the last three decades.

RSS demand

The government is now looking at amending the Act, a long standing demand of the Rashtriya Svayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

The changes will be on the lines of the Orissa Act under which a person wanting to convert and the priest have to inform the collector 15 days before the event.

"We are right now deliberating on the report and if needed, we will prepare an action taken report. If the need arises, we will amend the Anti-Conversion Bill," says Babulal Gaur, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh.

Clean chit

On their part, the Christians believe this is an excuse to implement the RSS agenda.

"The report is like a time bomb. Any time the government feels like controlling the community they will make laws which the Christians will have a tough time fighting against it. This is what RSS wanted and they got it," says Indira Ayengar, President, Christian Association.

The report gives a clean chit to Asaram Bapu's disciple Krishna Ben and Nahar Singh, the MLA of Alirajpur who allegedly instigated the riots.

While coming down heavily on the Christian missionaries, the report hardly mentions the conversion of tribals by saffron brigade to mainstream Hinduism.

With the Assembly monsoon session just round the corner, a stricter religious freedom Act based on the report may just be a reality.

Christian Couple Arrested Under the Freedom of Religion Act in Madhya Pradesh

By Vijayesh Lal

Bhanwarkuan, Indore - A Christian couple was detained by RSS activists and later arrested last evening. At the time of writing this report the couple was in police custody and was presented in the court in front of the district magistrate, where they await their bail.

20th July 2005 - Jagdish and Grace (Saraswati) Nayak belonging to the Banjara tribe and independent Christian workers were visiting Christians in Jeet Nagar in Indore, when Dharmendra Chaterjee the local RSS activist gathered people from the neighborhood and accused the couple of alluring him and his family to convert to Christianity in return for favors like education, health and other facilities.

Bhagwanti Bai, the neighbor of Dharmendra also gave a similar complaint and affirmed that she too had been offered money and facilities like education and health by the couple, in return for her promise to adopt the Christian religion. The couple Dharmendra alleged had also promised him money for his family wedding.

The couple was detained by the neighbors of Dharmendra and Bhagwanti Bai together with the activists of the Dharma Raksha Samiti (Religion Protection Committee) and the RSS (Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh). They were threatened during this time and questioned.

Soon the police got this information and a team from Bhanwarkuan police station reached the spot and brought the couple and the mob that had formed by then to the police station. The mob was lead by RSS leader Rajendra Chandel and the office bearers of Dharma Raksha Samiti.

In the police station Dharmendra alleged that he had been allured by the couple to accept Christianity and renounce Hinduism. The police arrested the couple under the Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantraya Adhiniyam (Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 1968) articles 3, 4 and 5.

Article 3 of the Freedom of Religion Bill says, “Prohibition of forcible conversion - No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means not shall any person abet any such conversion.”

The Bill also lists out definitions for allurement, conversion, and force wherein

"Allurement" means offer of any temptation in the form of-

(i) Any gift of gratification either in cash or kind.
(ii) Grant of any material benefit either monetary or other wise.

(b) "Conversion" means renouncing one religion and adopting another;

(c) "Force" shall include a show of force or a threat of injury of any kind including threat of divine displeasure or social excommunication;

If convicted the couple will be punishable with imprisonment with may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both. Since a woman (Bhagwanti Bai) is also involved as complainant the punishment may extend to two years and a fine up to ten thousand rupees.

The correspondent spoke to the Police Inspector of Bhanwarkuan Police station, Mr. Parihar and he dismissed the complaint of the complainant, suggesting instead that it was a planned move of the Dharma Raksha Samiti and the RSS against the couple.

Parihar informed Compass that the couple had been visiting Jeet Nagar for some time now for the purpose of praying for people. It was recently that two people in Jeet Nagar, accepted Christianity and it was widely perceived that it happened because of the visit of this couple and that is why they were targeted by the RSS.

Mr. Praihar added that Christian missionaries like the Nayaks only go to pray for people when they are invited and keep away otherwise. He was confident that the couple will be awarded bail by the court.

The issue of conversions has once again come into the limelight with the issue of a government report by the former director-general of police Narendra Prasad on the Jhabua violence.

The report clearly blames the conversions in the Jhabua district for the violence against Christians. It raises an alarm at the number of conversions taking place without going into the fact whether the conversions were by force or fraud. The report seems to treat conversion to another faith, a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right, as a sin against society.

Following the report the Chief Minister of the state Mr. Babulal Gaur has come out with a proposal to amend the present state Freedom of Religion Act with intent to make religious conversions more difficult.

Crosses Desecrated in Goa

Panaji, Goa, July 20, (Alexandre Moniz Barboza):

There has been a sudden spurt in cases of crosses being desecrated in Goa. Four such cases have come to the notice of the authorities, three of them within a week's time. A cross at Farmagudi Ponda was found damaged this week, while two crosses were found desecrated on the morning of Thursday, 14 July again in Ponda Taluka in Central Goa.

The crosses at Tisk and Daag in Ponda taluka, were apparently vandalised during the night of Wednesday to Thursday, as villagers claim to have seen the full crosses the previous evening.

The Cross at Tisk has been damaged a second time in two years and it belongs to the Mount Carmel Chapel in the area. The cross has been partially damaged. The other cross at Daag, standing in private property was totally destroyed. The cross at Farmagudi was slightly damaged, but coming soon after the other incidents is a matter of alarm. Some weeks back, a cross at Opa, again in Ponda taluka was found to be desecrated.

Goa, is dotted with crosses along the roads and some have been erected in private property and these are the venues of litanies during the month of May, when the feast of the Holy Cross is celebrated. The roadside crosses are easily accessible and perhaps hence the miscreants doing the rounds.

It is suspected that the same group of vandals could have damaged the crosses. The police are investigating.

In peaceful Goa, such incidents where Catholic churches and crosses have in the past been desecrated, have not evoked tension among the communities as all communities join together to condemn such vandalism. However, this does not deter miscreants from attempting to incite communal tension in the State.

Source: www.cbcisite.com

Staines' Killer Dara Singh's Supporters Launch Anti-Christian Booklets

New Delhi, July 21, 2005:

In a move expected to add to anxiety within India's churches, supporters of a convicted killer of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons plan to massively distribute anti-Christian booklets in the tense eastern state of Orissa, BosNewsLife learned Wednesday, July 20.

Dara Sena, an anti-Christian group floated by fans of prime convict Dara Singh, wants to hand out as many as 30,000 copies of booklets describing Dara Singh as a "god and depicting Christianity in [a] poor light," reported the influential Hindustan Times newspaper.

The organization was formed to project Singh as a protector of Hinduism. Dara Sena Chief Mukesh Jain, was to distribute the booklets in the Karanjia area while on his way to visit 11 persons acquitted in the murder case by the Orissa High Court on May 19.

Located in the northern part of Orissa, Karanjia is a rural area dominated by tribes, who advocacy groups say have been open to the Christian Gospel, despite pressure from Hindu militants.

Jain had met Singh at Baripada central jail in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district, shortly before the Orissa High Court commuted Singh's death sentence, awarded by a lower court on September 22, 2003, to life imprisonment. It acquitted 11 others whom the lower court had awarded life imprisonment, while one militant retained a life sentence.

BURNT ALIVE

Staines and his two sons were burnt alive by a mob led by Singh while they were sleeping in a van at Manoharpur village in Orissa's Keonjhar district in the night of January 21-22, 1999, investigators established.

The Superintendent of Police of Mayurbhanj district has made clear he will not accept the distribution of anti-Christian publications, amid fears of new religious tensions. "So far, no booklet has been distributed. But if they start distributing them, the police will arrest them," the official was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

The daily suggested that the booklet distribution was aimed at creating a base for Dara Sena's political ambitions. "Officials in the state intelligence don't rule out the possibility of at least one of the acquitted persons taking the plunge into politics with the active support of the Dara Sena," the newspaper commented.

JOINING POLITICS

Even Singh himself told reporters earlier that he was contemplating joining politics. Singh added that a decision on participating in elections was to be taken and that he would follow the recommendations of Dara Sena's executive committee.

Analysts say however that Singh, being convicted of a crime, will not be allowed by the Election Commission of India to participate in a ballot. Christians have been apprehensive about members of their minority community since the May 19 verdict of the Orissa High Court, a BosNewsLife investigation shows.

"The acquittal of the criminals involved in the gruesome murder of Australian Missionary Graham Staines and his two children by the Orissa High Court has sent shock waves across the country," said Sajan K. George, National Convenor of the Global Council of Indian Christians, told the BosNewsLife New Delhi Bureau.

INCREASED ATTACKS

"There has been a rise in the number of attacks on Christians in various parts of the country, especially after the Orissa court verdict, clearly indicating that the communal elements seem more emboldened now," he said in a statement.

One of the key suspects in the murders of Pastors K. Daniel and K. Isaac Raju, last month in Hyderabad, a region in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, has told media he was "inspired by the example of Dara Singh." The two pastors were found dead in early June.

Singh reportedly plans to appeal to the Supreme Court of India for a full acquittal. Christians, advocacy groups, and secular political parties in India have demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the murder case, will challenge him and the Orissa High Court verdict in India's Supreme Court.

Source: www.cbcisite.com

Houston Hindus oppose Church on Tirumala Hills

Lalit K Jha (HindustanTimes.com)

Minneapolis, July 18, 2005

Opposing the construction of a church at the sacred`Tirumala Hills, as many as 23 Indo-American organizations based in Houston has urged the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to ask the Andhra Pradesh Government to maintain the sanctity of the religious place, which is a holy shrine for the Hindus world over.

Agitated by media reports emanating from India that the Andhra Pradesh Government was actively considering the application of a religious society to build a church atop the Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, these Indo-American organizations held an emergency meeting at Houston on Saturday (July 16) to discuss the issue.

Even though the news has been denied by the Andhra Pradesh Government that no such thing would be allowed at the Tirumala Hills, the Indo-American, mostly Hindu organizations, at the meeting decided to send a representative to Washington D.C. to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister during his visit this week.

Another representative of these Houston-based Hindu organizations would be flying to Hyderabad on Tuesday (July 19) to meet the Chief Minister, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, to apprise him of the sentiments of the community in the United States.

"We are all agitated and upset following the series of news regarding the Tirumala Hills which is coming from Andhra Pradesh. We want to make sure that such a anti-Hindu thing does not happen," Geetha Donthi, of Prajna - JET USA, which is one of the signatories to the memorandum, told the HindustanTimes.com.

Donthi would meet Reddy in Hyderabad on behalf of these 23 organizations including Gujarati Samaj of Houston, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Chinamaya Mission, Arya Samaj, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Hindu Worship Society, Kerala Hindu Society, Shri Radha Krishna Temple, Ashtal Lakshmi Temple, Hindu Student Council, Vallabh Priti Samaj, Esha Vasyam, Param Shakti Peet, Indian Senior Citizens Association, India House, Bhakta Samaj, Friends and Family of Houston, Santhan Hindu Center, LPSH, Houston, Bhram Samaj, Houston Natya Kala Vrund and Center for Global Studies.

"It shocks the conscience of the Hindu-American community of Houston that the Government of India can so cavalierly demolish a structure with a history of 550 years, as if it were yesterday's newspaper being tossed into the rubbish bin," said the petition signed by these organizations on Saturday, which would be submitted to both the Prime Minister and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.

Stating that the Seven Hills of Tirumala, in their entirety, have been considered to be a tirthasthanam and a devasthanam since time immemorial, the petition said: "It affronts the sanctity of the place for the Government to permit the construction of a Christian church." "Consequently, it is incumbent on you, as the Prime Minister of India, to direct the Government of Andhra Pradesh to ensure that the sanctity of Thousand Pillar Temple and the entire Seven Hills of Tirumala remains intact," it said.

The organizations said given the fact that the Central and State Governments, rather than private trusts, controlled the Hindu structures, they have the solemn obligation to maintain these places.

"Despite this, the Andhra Pradesh Government has knowingly permitted the demolition of the 550-year old Thousand Pillar Temple and was considering constructing a Christian church on Tirumala Hills," the petition said adding that this was in direct contravention of the interests of the worldwide Hindu population, including the Hindu-American community of Houston.

Different countries, including the United States, may be the homelands for the worldwide Hindu population, only India serves as their matrubhumi and dharmabhumi, in said.

As such, the Hindu-American community of Houston has a vested interest to ensure that thousands of tirthasthanam and devasthanam which cover the landscape of India remain preserved and accessible to devotees from across the globe, the petition said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1434098,001600060001.htm

Action initiated to deport Christian missionary

Sunday July 17 2005

HOSUR: Based on a direction from the Madras High Court, Hosur police have initiated action to deport a Christian priest from India, who had been illegally living in the country.

South Asian regional headquarters of the Christian missionary - Seventh Day Adventists - is located at Hosur. David Ron Watts, a Canadian national, is heading the South Asian division of Seventh Day Adventists.

Ron and his wife Dorothy Watts have been living in India on the American business visa. According to the Indian Emigration Act, an American business visa holder can stay in the country for 180 days without any registration.

It is alleged that Ron and his wife were involved in converting people into Christianity in several parts of South India. Based on complaints against them from various quarters, the Ministry of Home affairs issued a deportation order on the couple and sent it to the TN Government in 2003.

But the priest did not act upon the Home Ministry order and continued to live in India, particularly in Hosur.

In the meantime, a petition demanding eviction of Ron from India was filed in the Madras High Court recently.

Subsequently, the Madras High Court ordered Krishnagiri district police to evict Ron from the country. But it is said that the priest and his wife had disappeared from Hosur.

Christian couple harassed by Hindu Activists in Rajasthan

AICC News

A Christian couple running an ashram for tribal children in Mount Abu, Rajasthan are being harassed by Hindu activists. They are also involved in translating the Bible for the tribals living in the area.

The couple, Vickie Patel and Dinesh Patel belonging to IEM inMount Abu area run an ashram for 11 tribal children, taking care of their education. They have been working in the area for the last 25 years.

They stay in a house belonging to IP Mission Trust (IrishPresbyterian). It so happened that one day a stranger approached them, claiming that the house they were staying in was his property. He said there was a legal case between him and the trust and the trust had won the case.

When the stranger started to create problems, the matter went to the local police. As part of probing the case, the police questioned the couple about their identity. The couple disclosed themselves as Christian missionaries. Following this, the stranger brought in antisocial elements, some belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to get the couple evicted.

They spread the word around that the couple was involved in converting the tribal children. Under pressure from the Hindu activists, the police enquired from the parents of the tribal children to know more about the couple. Although the parents gave them a good report about the couple's activities, the Circle Inspector called the missionaries to his office and allegedly beat them up. He then warned them that they would be in trouble if they continued with their missionary activities. The incident also found its way into the local press, with some of them reporting that the missionaries were indulging in conversion activities.

Suspect in Killings of Indian Christian Pastors Confesses

NEW DELHI, July 11 (Compass) -- A 25-year-old man recently confessed to the murder of two Christian pastors in Hyderabad city, Andhra Pradesh, southern India.

The accused said he was inspired by Dara Singh, a Hindu activist convicted for the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, ages 11 and 7, in January 1998.

Police said on June 30 they had arrested five other suspects and claimed the men had drawn up plans to kill other Christian ministers, according to a report by the Indo Asian News Service.

Police Commissioner V. Dinesh Reddy said two or three other pastors were on the list and the gang had already threatened them.

The two murders that shook the Christian community of Hyderabad took place in May. The body of Pastor K. Daniel, a preacher from Kummarvadi, was found on the outskirts of the city on May 20, bearing marks suggestive of an acid attack. The body of Pastor Isaac Raju, who went missing on May 24, was found on June 2. (See Compass Direct, "Second Pastor Found Dead in Andhra Pradesh, India," June 6, 2005.)

Police arrested Kokala Govardhan, who confessed to the killings, in the third week of June. Two other accomplices are still on the run.

Govardhan told reporters in Hyderabad that Dara Singh, convicted of the murder of Graham Staines, inspired him to kill the pastors.

"By killing the two pastors, we wanted to show the world that whoever tries to convert Hindus to Christianity will meet the same fate," he said.

Singh, who recently received a life sentence, was convicted of burning Graham Staines and his two sons to death while they slept in a jeep in Baripada district of eastern Orissa state.

Along with hundreds of Hindu extremists surrounding the jeep, Singh set fire to the vehicle and blocked all possible escape. Singh and his followers had accused Staines of running a "conversion camp" in Baripada. Staines and his wife were running a medical center for leprosy patients.

Soon after the gruesome murders, Staines' widow said she had forgiven the killers of her husband and children. "If we don’t forgive men of the wrong that they do, then how can we be forgiven?" she repeated in a recent BBC interview.

Sentences of life imprisonment normally run for a maximum of 14 years in India. With the arrest of Govardhan and his shocking revelation that Singh inspired him to kill the pastors, however, Christian groups in India say Singh must receive a stiffer sentence as a warning to other extremists.

The Global Council for Indian Christians (GCIC) plans to file a review petition in the Supreme Court, asking that Singh's life sentence be changed to the death penalty.

The GCIC has also petitioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to provide adequate security for Christians in India. In its petition to the prime minister, the organization said "The well-orchestrated attacks against Christians are aimed at intimidating Christians ... [and pushing] radical Hindus to keep the pot of hatred boiling all the time."

The All India Christian Council also supported the petition, although its president, John Dayal, said he was against the death penalty.

"We have always said that the award of a life sentence to Dara Singh would have serious consequences," said Dayal. "What greater evidence do we need than this case, where the killer himself is saying that Dara Singh inspired him?"

For this reason, Dayal said, he strongly supports the petition of the GCIC. "Exemplary punishment," he said, "should be given to people like Dara Singh."

Courtesy: Compass Direct

Gaur targets collectors on conversion

RASHEED KIDWAI

Bhopal, July 11: Babulal Gaur is planning to amend a state law to make religious conversions more difficult after a controversial report said they were responsible for violence on Christians in tribal areas.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister is considering action against all officials who served in tribal-dominated districts in the last 37 years but failed to check conversions.

Collectors and senior officials serving in tribal welfare departments since 1968-69 — when the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act was passed — will be questioned and necessary action taken against the "erring" officials who failed to report conversion cases to the state government.

The Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act makes it mandatory that all conversions should be reported and maintained in a register by the collector, who is to furnish the details to the state government on the 10th of every month.

Gaur's move comes in the wake of the findings of a one-man committee report which probed into the rape and murder of a girl at a missionary school on January 11, 2004.

But the Opposition, Christian leaders and rights activists have raised questions on report prepared by former director-general of police Narendra Prasad.

Indira Ayenger, the chairperson of Madhya Pradesh Christian Association, rubbished the report's findings.

She said the report claimed nearly 80 per cent rise in Christian population in Jhabua.

"That is what is called being economical with the truth. The Christian population in MP is on the decline. We are merely .03 per cent of the population. And if there were forced conversions, how is that not a single thana has a complaint in the last 10 years or so?" she asked.

"How is it that the report is silent on the burning of three churches, illegal detention of 11 Christians from January 2004 till date, 15 houses that were torched and the conduct of Nahar Singh, the BJP MLA from Alirajpur, who led attacks on Christians?"

Prasad's report also names Ayenger, saying her organisation set up a technical and vocational training centre with the help of an American university and adds that three foreigners working with the centre were sent away following objections by security agencies.

Ayenger retorted, asking: "Since when did Arizona State University become a Christian outfit?"

Union minister of state for agriculture Kantilal Bhuria also criticised the report, wondering why the Gaur government was relying on it when a committee from the National Minorities Commission and the Madhya Pradesh State Minorities Commission had submitted a report.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050712/asp/nation/story_4979301.asp#

Dara Singh to join politics

By Bibhuti Mishra in Bhubaneswar

Dara Singh, sentenced to life imprisonment as the prime accused in the gruesome murder of Graham Staines in January 1999, has shown keenness to enter politics.


Interestingly, Dara has condemned politicians as dirty and self-centred and said that he wanted to change this image of the politician by becoming clean and committed.

"I will contest the election too. But when the time comes, I would decide whether it would be for the Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha " said Dara.

Dara said a decision on this was yet to be taken and he would go by the executive committee decision of the Dara Sena, an outfit floated by his supporters.

The Dara Sena was formed by some fundamentalists to project Dara's image of the protector of Hinduism as he is against cow slaughter and conversion.

Although time and again, he has been linked with the BJP and the RSS, Dara himself categorically denied any link with either organisation.

Mumbai: Miscreants Damage the Building of 'Home for the Aged' at Vikramgarh

Mumbai, Jun 29: A Home for the Aged on Jhadpoli-Thapadpada road in Vikramgarh taluk of Thane district near here, which was under construction, was damaged by a group of unidentified miscreants during last week.

This Home for the Aged was being built by the nuns of congregation of St Joseph who have been rendering their selfless service in this remote area for the last 2 years while residing in the 'St Joseph's Home nearby. This mission station comes under Vikramgarh parish of Thane diocese. Sr Freddy (superior), Sr Damiya and Sr Sunita are rendering their service in the place.

Having understood the need of a home for the aged and clinic, the sisters undertook the construction of a new building just opposite to their present convent some time ago. Kenneth Remedius, an entrepreneur from Mumbai, donated the land for the new building. The work was almost getting over when group of miscreants with masks on their faces came over to the place, damaged the building and chased the workers with a stern warning that they will be killed by blasting crackers in their mouths, if they continue with the construction work. They were also heard of shouting "we won't allow Christians to pitch their tent in this Hindu-dominated area. If the nuns continue, they will be killed."

More than this the reply by the local MLA, MP, police, tahsildar, deputy commissioner and other top brass officials was simply shocking. Taking a stance in support of the miscreants they advised the nuns to vacate the place since a complaint had been filed against them that they have been indulging s in conversion activities.

Distressed but not depressed nuns brought the matter to the notice of Dr Abraham Mathai, the deputy working president of Minority Commission of Maharashtra government. He then succeeded in getting permission for the nuns to resume the construction work within a couple of days. He then visited the place at Thapadpada along with some journalists where the contractor of the building Kunal Sawant informed them that the miscreants were the members of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Maharashtra, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishat.

The same people had organized a rally "Vishal Hindu Sammelan" wherein more than 2,000 Hindu women had been grouped together. Some posters depicting that these nuns were influencing Sadhu Mahanta, Mahant Balaknath Baba and other Hindus to carry out conversion were displayed during the rally.

Bottom line: The miscreants needed more than 2,000 women to oppose the good work of only 3 women (nuns). This surely is the victory of the nuns over the fundamental forces who did not have the guts of disclosing their identity when they attacked the workers and damaged the building. They wore masks on their faces and came in the night to carry out their attack. This speaks about the calibre, dedication, and commitment of nuns who are carrying out humanitarian work.

Click here for the original source

Film theatres subtly campaigning against conversion?

SACHIN DAVE

TIMES NEWS NETWORK, SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2005

VADODARA/AHMEDABAD: You are in the middle of the confounded wedding of Mr and Mrs Smith, floored by the ravishing Angelina Jolie and the goodlooking Brad Pitt, when a shot of two dogs fighting rudely interrupts your reverie.

The voice-over says, "You cannot change their nature". Then there is the picture of a cow quietly grazing, and the voice says, "You cannot make this cow a non-vegetarian".

Just when you wonder what's going on, the screen blanks out and the voice says, "So why attempt to change someone's religion?" This is followed by the text of the legal provisions that render forced religious conversions as illegal.

And this was not a campaign by the Gujarat government.

The audience watching this loaded message during the intermission of Mr and Mrs Smith at a late night show in a Vadodara multiplex, recently, seemed quite taken aback. Their discussion, for a while, veered into whether the state's anti-conversion Bill had come into force without much ado.

"This film was made by Mumbai based Indian Infotainment Media Corporation (IIMC). We are asked to play it in our theatres, and do not get a single penny from it," said Giri Sharma, marketing manager at Inox, Vadodara.

"IIMC sends us several films, based on social issues and we screen it in our multiplexes," said Deepa George PR manager at Inox.

"We produce several short films of social relevance. We have even tied up with about 600 theatres and multiplex all over India to screen these films," said Devendra Khandelwal CEO of IIMC, over the phone from Mumbai.

Asked about this particular film on conversion, he irritably said, "I have made a film based on the existing laws on conversion. I do not understand why people are making such a fuss when it is just repeating what the law says," he added.

When contacted, government officials at Gandhinagar were unaware of such a documentary and said they had not given any contract for such a film. The anti-conversion Bill passed in the assembly, is pending ratification, said sources.

Several NGOs in Mumbai have protested against the short film, but it was hardly noticed in Gujarat. Theatres in Ahmedabad do not even have any information about it. "We do screen several documentaries made by IIMC, yet I have not come across any one based on religious conversion," said Anand Vishal, manager at Fun Republic.

Khandelwal claimed that his film which is based on law aims at informing the people. "The film actually educates the audience about our own law.

Moreover, what I want to convey in the film is that religious conversion, from one religion to another, either by force or fraud is illegal and one can be punished, " said Khandelwal.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1152097.cms

Hindu zealots killed Hyderabad pastors: police

HYDERABAD: In a breakthrough in the investigation of the murders of two Christian pastors here, police say religious fanaticism drove three Hindu rightwing activists to abduct the victims and kill them.

Cyberabad Police have arrested prime suspect Goverdhan and are looking out for two others, saying they carried out the murders to stop evangelical activity by the victims. All the three are activists of the Hindu Vahini organisation.

Hindu Vahini has, however, denied that it was involved in the murders and accused the police of torturing its activists.

The mutilated body of pastor K. Issac Raju, 45, was found at Golconda on the city outskirts June 2. He had been missing from his house in Raidurgam area May 24.

Earlier, pastor K. Daniel, 35, was found murdered at Shamshabad, also on the city outskirts May 20. He had been abducted from his house in Asifnagar a day earlier.

They were approached by unidentified people on the pretext of solemnising marriages, police said. Both were garrotted with a rope.

Though Cyberabad police have not made a formal announcement about the breakthrough in the case, police sources said auto-rickshaw driver Goverdhan had confessed to the crime.

He has been taken to Shamshabad and Golconda to reconstruct the sequence of the crimes. Police are looking out for Satyanarayana of Hyderabad and Ganesh of Karimnagar, who allegedly helped Goverdhan carry out the killings.

The three suspects were allegedly emboldened by an Orissa High Court order commuting the death sentence for Dara Singh who killed Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, police said.

Police are also investigating whether they were also involved in the murder of pastor Yesudas in Karimnagar. Yesudas was abducted and murdered April 17.

The killings had spread panic among the Christian community. Police had formed special teams to solve the cases and had interrogated many suspects belonging to Hindu rightwing groups.

Christian meet attacked in Rajasthan

AICC News

A group of Hindu activists attacked a Christian gathering on 25 June 2005 at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, terming the meeting as a ploy to promote conversion to Christianity.

The incident happened at Parameswari Palace near St Andrew's Hall at Sardarpura in Jodhpur, where a youth festival was being organised. There were more than 60 youngsters who had come to take part in a session on peace and spirituality under the guidance of Fr Paul Matthew.

"I came from Bikaner to find the right path," said Mukesh Yadav, one of the participants.
He said he had paid a fee of Rs 150 for registration. "My father has already embraced Christianity. But I am yet to do so," he said.

According to him, more than 60 activists belonging to the Viswa Hindu Parishad, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bajrang Dal gatecrashed into the venue and chased the participants away. "One of us received minor injuries," he added.

Sources said there was some confusion over the name of Fr Matthew, the resource person. "One Thomas Matthew was responsible for conversion in Kota and they mistook Fr Matthew for him," the sources said.

Jodhpur Superintendent of Police Ravi Meharda said, "We cannot say anything at this juncture. We are investigating the matter and nothing much could be said before we reach a conclusion." The police already recorded the statements from ten participants.

Nun denied permission to become lawyer on religious grounds

Kerala nun fights Bar Council to become lawyer

George Iype in Kochi June 22, 2005 13:41 IST

Kerala may be God's own country, but its Bar Council has decided that a person of God -- in this case a Catholic nun who is a law graduate -- is not eligible to become a lawyer.

The state Bar Council's argument is that its rules do not allow persons like priests, nuns and sanyasis engaged in eligious activities to become advocates.

However, Sister Teena Jose is determined to legally fight the Bar Council of Kerala's decision, which she says "is discriminatory and arbitrary."

"I will fight it out. In India, every citizen has a right to take up any profession. I cannot be denied permission to become a lawyer only because I am a nun," Sister Jose, belonging to the Kerala-based Congregation of Mother Carmel, told rediff.com.

The nun's struggle for what she calls "professional justice" began when the Bar Council of Kerala rejected her enrolment application early this year, ruling that as a religious person, she is engaged in another profession and thus cannot enroll as a lawyer.

Sister Jose, a law graduate from the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, argued before the Bar Council's enrolment committee that she was not engaged in a salaried job or profession, and that she was simply following a religious ifestyle.

Hurt by the Bar Council's decision, Sister Jose filed a petition in the Kerala high court asking it intervene in the matter, arguing that the Council's decision was "illegal, arbitrary and an infringement of the Constitution of India."

Justice K Balakrishnan Nair, who heard her plea, asked Sister Jose to implead the Bar Council of India also in the case. Following this, the nun forwarded her application to the Bar Council of India.

Her lawyer Wilson Urmese says it was shocking the Bar Council of Kerala has refused to allow the nun to become a lawyer.

"There are a number of priests and nuns across India who are enrolled as lawyers. Our case is very strong and I am sure the Bar Council of India will hear our plea," he said.

He said the Bar Council's Advocates Act or Rules do not impose restrictions on nuns or other religious persons becoming lawyers.

Bar Council of Kerala chairperson K B Mohandas said a selection and enrolment committee scrutinizes all applicants.

Asked if rules prohibit religious persons from becoming a lawyer, he said he would not comment on the matter as it was sub judice.

"Generally, all the rejected applications for enrolments are forwarded to the Bar Council of India for approval. Since the nun has filed a case, her case has also gone to the BCI," Mohandas added.

http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/jun/22nun.htm

HC directive on conversion in Orissa: Stop Illegal Conversions

Press Trust of India

Cuttack, June 21, 2005

The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to instruct district collectors and superintendents of police to take appropriate action against incidents of religious conversion through use of force, inducement or by fraudulent means.

Taking strong exception to reports of large-scale illegal conversions in the state, a bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Sujit Burman Roy and Justice MM Das asked the government to direct the collectors and SPs to inquire into such actions and take appropriate measure against perpetrators of such activities.

Acting upon a PIL in this connection filed by one Ananta Kumar Satrusalya and 268 others, the court issued notices to the state government returnable within two weeks.

The petitioners, belonging to 19 villages under Mohana police station of Gajapati district had alleged that Christian missionary organisations were engaged in forcible conversions in the area targeting the tribals and poor people.

Despite repeated complaints, the local administration and police remained non-committal about the matter, the petition said.

Directing the Gajapati administration to take action, the court instructed the local police to register cases under sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA) and submit the chargesheet immediately.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1406753,000900030010.htm

Pastor Beaten For Preaching Christ

A Gospel for Asia (GFA) pastor ministering in northern India where there are many anti-Christian groups is recovering from his injuries after being brutally beaten while on the way to a local market Friday, June 17.

Pastor Kiran, 28, was making a routine trip into the city to buy household items when he was attacked. "Walking down the city street, Kiran noticed a group of GFA Bible college graduates who were home for a week's vacation before beginning full-time ministry among the unreached," stated a report from GFA.

"Eager to see how they were doing, he approached and greeted them. What Kiran did not realize was that his friends were being interrogated by 12 youths who strongly opposed Christianity. When the youths saw Kiran and recognized him as a missionary in the area, they grew even more angry and began to raise their voices against Christianity and Christian work."

The five Bible college graduates managed to escape, but Kiran was trapped by the mob, now numbering about 75. They immediately threw him down and dragged him around. "For three hours they repeatedly beat and shoved Pastor Kiran," GFA reported. "Then they brought him to a public gathering place, intending to break his legs and hands with an iron rod. But they were unable to locate one."

The attack finally ended when the leader of an anti-Christian group intervened, asking the youths to leave him alone. Kiran lay on the ground unconscious for half an hour before coming to and boarding a bus to his village. While Kiran is recovering from injuries to his neck, elbow, leg and arm, he is faithfully continuing his ministry.

PS: This update though belonging to June 17th 2005, was received by us later.

Convent attacked, nuns held overnight

Bhiwadi (AsiaNews) - The Convent of the Franciscans Sisters of Our Lady of Grace, in Bhiwadi (Rajasthan) came under attack again last night. Three armed men burst into the religious house and held the resident nuns captive overnight.

This incident comes in the wake of two other violent attacks against women religious in two convents on June 9 in the State of Bihar.

Sister Deepti, Our Lady of Grace Superior, told AsiaNews what happened.

"Whilst we were fast asleep on the June 11, I heard a sound at around 1 am. I got up and knocked on the room next door to wake up the other nun who was staying in the convent. When I went to switch on the lights, I found that there was no electricity. I immediately tried to phone for help, but the phone was dead," she said. (They later discovered that the attackers had cut phone and power lines).

"We went to the main door to investigate the cause of the sounds ... we thought that, perhaps, someone had come to the convent for help," she added. Instead, in the darkness the nuns saw nothing until three masked, knife-wielding men came at them.

"They hit me on the shoulder and legs," Sister Deepti explained. "I was so frightened and began screaming for help [. . . ]. Unfortunately, there was no one in the vicinity to help us since most of our neighbours were away on holiday".

At once, the three attackers demanded 100,000 rupees (around US$ 1,900), threatening the frightened women with the knives and shouting at them: "You're nuns; you have lots of money from donations".

"I went to the locker and gave them all there was: 7,000 rupees. But this angered them further - they refused to believe that we did not have any more money."

The men then started ransacking the convent house looking for more money. They found another 1,000 rupees in one of the cabinets in my private room and this angered them further.

"They threatened to harm our domestic kitchen-girl [and] said they would sell her if we told any more lies about not having money," Sister Deepti said.

"This nightmare went on for more than three hours. At around 3 am, they tore the window curtains and bound our hands and feet together, tying up our mouths to prevent us from calling out for help. Then they opened the fridge, and ate and drank. Around 4 am, they finally left."

On the morning of 12th, when the nuns did not show up for mass in the parish church, the Priest sent his sacristan to the convent to find out why they had not come.

After finding the gate to the convent locked as the attackers had left it when they made their escape, the Sacristan jumped over and came into the building through a window. Inside he found the nuns bound and gagged and released them.

As soon as he was told of what happened, the parish priest rushed to the convent bringing the police with him so that they could take down the nuns' statements.

Sister Deepti told AsiaNews about her concerns since, as she put it, "this is not the first time that we are attacked. On the night of the 5th [of June], our Chapel was ransacked, and our Tabernacle was robbed. This is a very serious desecration. It is not a simple robbery, as every one is aware of the sacredness of the tabernacle."

"Mgr Ignatius Mendez, Bishop of Ajmer-Jaipur, promised he would look into them matter since to date the police has failed to arrest anyone involved," she added.

"We need protection," Sister Deepti stressed, "because, in addition to being an attack against Christians, it is also an act of violence against women,"

The June 9 attacks were carried out against the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Sokho, in the diocese of Bhagalpur, and Notre Dame Convent in the diocese of Bettiah, where a gang of 15 men attacked the local nuns, leaving one of them - Sister Manjula - so badly bruised that she had to be hospitalized.

John Dayal, Secretary General of the All India Christian Union, said to AsiaNews: "We make a distinction between crime in general and religious crime in particular [...]. In India, religious places are taboo; no one unless demented would wilfully rob a temple or a mosque, but why are our convents and churches being robbed and desecrated? [...] We are extremely worried [...]. The Central Government must caution the State governments [so that they] protect the minority communities. They must send a positive signal to them."

BJP condemns church's move

Madurai, June 13: Former Union minister and BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan today criticised the Catholic church for its attempts to convert a cemetery here into a Christian meditation hall and urged the officials to cancel the permission for it.

In a strongly worded statement, he said that corporation officials should not have permitted the conversion of the graveyard, housing the tombs of several great men of the Christian faith, into a meditation hall.

He pointed out that even a section of the Christians did not want the tombs of their forefathers to be demolished.

He warned of an agitation by BJP and Hindu organisations if the permission was not cancelled.

The corporation officials had demolished even 200-year-old temples in the city, though the High Court had ordered removal of encroachments, he alleged. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B73F4702C-A803-4724-9A3A-0623481807C3%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Tamil+Nadu

Christian shrine desecrated in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Jabalpur (AsiaNews) - In an interview with AsiaNews, Mgr Gerald Almeida, Bishop of Jabalpur in the state of Madya Pradesh (central India), said that anti - Christian activities by Hindu fundamentalists are on the rise and reaching areas hitherto spared such as his own diocese.

The fundamentalists' latest act of cowardly violence took place last Sunday, June 12, when "around midnight a bunch of miscreants entered the shrine of the Infant Jesus, which is inside the compound of the Holy Trinity Church, and desecrated it," Bishop Almeida said.

The mostly young attackers threw rotten eggs and blue coloured water against the shrine. When the guard saw them, they fled.

"Except for a few incidents, the fundamentalists had spared the area," he explained.

So far, no one has been arrested, but "[w]e have lodged a complaint with the police," the Bishop added. "[We] have notified the state authorities and asked for police protection from the administration."

The incident comes at a time when Christians are increasingly concerned about the sectarian violence visited upon them in states run by the Hindu fundamentalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) like Madya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Bishop Almeida has urged the clergy and the religious to appease the resentment among local Christians and said that his response to this violence will be chain-fasting throughout the diocese of Jabalpur.

"We shall pray that God may transform the minds and hearts of these people who are attacking Christians," he stressed.

The BJP supports a fundamentalist version of Hinduism and is India's main opposition party. (NC)

http://asianews.it/view_p.php?l=en&art=3504

Four US nationals to be deported for violating visa rules

Mumbai, June. 13 (PTI): Four US nationals, who were assaulted by a group of people in western suburb of Malad on Saturday night on suspicion that they were Christian missionaries involved in conversion, would be deported for violating visa rules, police said today.

Police suspect that the four US nationals had come to Mumbai with some specific mission and "their visit to Malad to address a congregation did not appear to be as simple as it meets the eye".

The US nationals, Philip Allan, Clover Edward, Richard Jenal and an unidentified person, were questioned by the Special Branch sleuths today, before police decided to deport them for violation of visa rules.
The action came after the local police station in Malad submitted a report to the Special Branch.

"The four US nationals will be deported by the next available flight for violation of visa conditions," Additional Police Commissioner (Special Branch), Bipin Bihari, told PTI without elaborating further.

A Special Branch official said that Philip Allan, one of the four US nationals, has a multiple-entry visa and frequently visited India and neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"He is not a business traveller and therefore his frequent visits to India and adjoining countries raises suspicion in the backdrop of the Malad incident," the official said.

Police said the role of a school teacher from Malad, who had arranged the congregation in which the US nationals had participated, was also being probed.

Apart from these four US nationals, there were four more US nationals who were present at the congregation, police said adding that they, however, left India yesterday.

"We would have questioned them too, but laxity on the part of the local police helped them to leave the country," a Special Branch official said.

The official said that prima facie, it could not be substantiated whether the four US nationals belonged to any religious organisation or had visited Mumbai to propagate their religion.

"Yet, there is something fishy about their visit which needs to be probed further," the official said.

The US nationals were attending a congregation on Saturday night, when a group of people allegedly assaulted them. Two persons were arrested in this connection but were released by a local court later.

Special Branch officials, however, denied that VHP or Shiv Sena members were involved in the assault. "This appears to be a spontaneous reaction from the Malvani residents, who thought the congregation was meant for conversions," police said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200506132125.htm

Pair of Convents Attacked in Bihar

BETTIAH, India, JUNE 13, 2005 (Zenit. org). - Two nuns were injured in apparent robbery attempts at two convents in the Indian state of Bihar.

The attack occurred around midnight last Thursday. An elderly nun was hospitalized with serious head injuries after a gang of 15 men attacked the Notre Dame convent at Raxual. The convent comes under the Diocese of Bettiah.

The same night, the convent of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth at Sokho in the Bhagalpur Diocese was attacked. No further details were available on that incident.

A Sister Manjula of Notre Dame was with two other nuns and their maid when the assailants entered the convent, breaking open the gate and doors.

"They asked for money," Father Henry Fernando of the Diocese of Bettiah told the newspaper Indian Catholic.

He said that the assailants beat the elderly nun so severely that they broke one of her ribs.

Bishop Victor Thakur of Bettiah visited the convent and the injured nun in the hospital, according to the priest.

Another woman religious sustained minor injuries, added Father Fernando.

Diocesan officials have filed a complaint with police. The attack on the convents is the latest in a series of assaults on priests and nuns working in Bihar.

Last April, Father Matthew Uzhuthal, 72, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Patna, was stabbed. He died of his wounds May 1.

US Missionaries attacked in Mumbai

Mumbai, India: June 12 2005:

Three US Nationals were attacked by a mob of about 40 people in Malavani, Malad (West), Mumbai.

According to police sources, the attack happened after the religious gathering where the missionaries had gathered was mistakened to be a conversion ceremony.

Philip Craig Allen (43) and Colver Steve Edwards (25) suffered minor injuries in the attack. Richard Wayne Jenel (45), who had been abducted by the mob was released later.

Police have booked a case of rioting and arrested Rajesh Keni and Bharat Koli, locals of the area. The duo were later released on bail by the court.

Saudi Arabia: 7 of jailed Christians released

Among these, 6 Indian Protestants arrested in the raid carried out by the Muttawa in Riyadh on May 28; among the released is also Samkutty Varghese, jailed since last March; 2 remain in prison for "further investigation". Renunciation to religious practice signed as condition for release.

Riyadh (AsiaNews) - Seven Christians who had been under arrest for their faith were freed this afternoon. The condition for their release was to sign a renunciation to religious practice, which they had been carrying out privately in their homes, as permitted by law.
Of the 7 released, 6 were part of the group of Protestants (8 in all) who had been arrested last May 28 in an extensive raid carried out by the Muttawa (religious police) in Riyadh. The other is Samkutty Varghese, another Indian Protestant, in jail since March: the police had used his address book to track down the other Christians.
According AsiaNews sources close to Mr Kumar, one of the released prisoners, their release took place today, June 8, around 3:30 p.m. local time, after having signed a document in which they renounced to the prayer sessions and religious practices that they had been carrying out for some time in their homes.
On May 28, the religious police raided a private prayer gathering of Protestant groups in the Batha area of the Saudi capital. Later that day, at 8 pm, the police arrived at Mr Kumar’s home and interrogated him and his wife. They then took away all religious material found in the residence, the family computers and Mr Kumar himself. More or less the same method was used to make the other arrests all in the same day.
Vijay Kumar has been in Saudi Arabia since 1994 working in production control for Al Salam Aircraft. His home has been a gathering place for Christians since 2002. In Saudi Arabia, freedom of expression is banned for all religions but Islam. Every public expression of other faiths (holding a Bible, wearing a cross or a rosary, praying) is outlawed. The religious police, which has a reputation for being uncompromising and violent, remorselessly enforces the ban. In the last few years, international pressures have forced the Saudi royal family to allow non-Muslim to practice their religion at least in the privacy of the home. None the less, the Muttawa continues to arrest, imprison and torture people who practice another faith even if privately.
Local sources refer to telephone calls from the prison according to which "the first 3 days were the worst" for the Christian prisoners, who were subjected to all kinds of abuse. Then, "when the 8 were divided into different cells, things went better." Two other Christians are still being held in jail by police for "further investigations."
Four of the released have been repatriated to India, while Kumar is waiting to know what the future holds for him and his family. The decision will be made by his employer, in agreement with Saudi authorities, by the end of the week. The hope is, according to the same sources close to Kumar, that he be allowed to stay in Riyadh: "There is nothing for him and his loved ones in India at the moment and finding a new job would not be easy."

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=3469

Three Indians arrested by the Saudi Arabian authorities relased

Dr. John Dayal of the AICC reported:


Three of seven Indians arrested by the Saudi Arabian religious police were been released yesterday. Here are the people that are released so far:

1).George Mathew. Passport Number: I 7881606.

2).Biju Thomas: Passport Number E 4201849.

3).Moothenpackal Mathai Thomas. Passport Number: E 2584732.

The international advocacy for release of other continues. Advocacy with government of India is also continuing to ensure that Indians are not harassed in Saudi Arabia from their religious beliefs, that those arrested have immediate Indian counselor attention, and that they are brought back to India before they are tortured.

Government of India is also being asked to urge Saudi Arabia government to be careful in handling holy books and religious artifacts such as crosses which its police seems to seize from Indian citizens.

Christians Feeling the heat of Persecution in Chattisgarh

By Vijayesh Lal

(Compass): Christians are feeling the heat of persecution in the state of Chattisgarh in India. There have been several reports of atrocities against Christians in the recent past. Some cases do show the liaison between the fundamentalists and the government machinery especially the police.

Background

Chattisgarh is a state ruled by the BJP since their victory in the elections held in December last year. The BJP won 50 seats in the 90-member state assembly, while the (then) ruling Congress Party had to content itself with a mere 37 seats in a state where 35% of 20 million people are central Indian tribal members.

Christian leaders in Chattisgarh fears that they are heading towards tough time have started coming true. The Bishop Victor Kindo of Raigarh had said of the BJP victory, "The situation is not favorable. The Christian minority community in Chattisgarh is likely to face 'tough times'."

During the campaigning for the then coming elections, the BJP had stressed the conversion issue a lot. Advertisements had been placed in several local newspapers 'depicting a bishop forcibly converting a tribal member while a henchman stood guard over others encaged and waiting to be baptized by the pope's orders.'

The conversion issue had even found place in their election manifesto. The party had promised to ban conversions to Christianity if voted to power, a promise that the BJP is serious about.

A local newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar had reported in March 2005, "The state government has prepared a draft to amend the provisions of the Dharma Swatantraya Adhinayarn (Freedom of Religion) Act, making them more stringent to restrict conversions of poor tribals to Christianity," (See: India's Chhattisgarh State to Strengthen Anti - Conversion Law, March 28th 2005)

Reconversion is also high on the agenda of the BJP affiliates. The Hindu Jagran Manch, an activist group that is an ideological ally of the BJP claimed in April that hundreds of Christians were reconverted in a ceremony on April 2 in Dhamtari district of Chattisgarh. During the reconversion ceremony, former cabinet minister from BJP Dilip Singh Judeo threatened Christian workers, saying, "If Christian missionaries don't stop converting people, we will take up arms." (See: Hindu Activists in India 'Reconvert' Christians, Threaten Missionaries, April 7th 2005)


Recent Incidents

5th June 2005:

Pastor Jaichand Dongre from Moti Chowk, Shankar Nagar, Durg, was having a Sunday service at his place with Church members and visiting believers, when around 11 am they were suddenly attacked by about 200 activists from the Bajrang Dal (Youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad).

The Bajrang Dal people were fully armed and came with a planned strategy. According to eye witnesses they even had two police constables with them.

The activists roughed up the Church members especially the pastor and looted the place, taking away Bibles, Christian literature and Musical instruments.

From there the Christians were taken to the police station where seven men and two women (all Christians) were arrested and charged falsely with disturbing the peace in the area.

According to reports received, they were charged with Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code which says, "Whoever knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after such assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both."

This charge was slapped on the Christians meeting peacefully for worship in full accordance with their fundamental right given in Article 19 and 25 of the Indian constitution. Articles 19 promises right to freedom of speech and expression, to assemble peaceably and without arms, while Article 25 provides for freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

The Bajrang Dal had arranged for false witnesses and some women turned up who gave false witness that they were promised One Lakh rupees (About 2325 US Dollars) each by the Pastor. The Pastor denies even knowing the women.

According to reports received the Police station office Mr. Pandey slapped the Pastor several times and humiliated him. This beating was in addition to the one that the pastor got from the crowd that beat him up all the way to the police station.

When a representative of the minority commission of Madhya Pradesh, Patras Habil, contacted the police station, he was told blankly that the beatings and arrests were due to conversion activities carried on by the Christians and that they deserved it.

When the representative revealed his connection with the Minority Commission the tone of the police officer changed who then claimed to rescue the Christians from the mob who had gathered to kill them all.

Christians in the area met with the Superintendent of Police in the area who assured them of help, but still the Christians were arrested and put in prison for two days. The SP could not do anything because of the many charges leveled against the Christians.

Two days later they were released on Bail after paying a huge sum of money.

The situation in Shankar Nagar, continues to remain tense. The Bajrang Dal has mobilized people against the Christian community in the area. They are unable to take water out of the community hand pump and are also unable to buy food supplies as they face a mass social boycott.

3rd June 2005

Thirteen Christians in Hathod village, Balod, Distrist Durg were called by the Sarpanch (Village Head man) in consultation with the villagers for a meeting. During the meeting the Christians were told to renounce their faith or face the consequences. According the sources, Christians were threatened with grave consequences and were coerced to become Hindus.

According to reports received, the notable fact is that most of the Christians who were asked to renounce their faith have not accepted Christianity recently. They were Christians for quite some time, some of them are even involved in Christian service and having some sort of theological training.

Seven of the thirteen Christians declined the ruling of the Sarpanch and were taken to the police station and locked up in Balod jail. Sources have revealed that the police was hand in glove with the Sarpanch and Hindu fundamentalist leaders in the village. The Christians have been implicated under Sections 151, 107 and 116 of the Indian Penal Code.

Compass spoke to the lawyer of the Christians, Mr. Ram Kishore Sahu, who informed that this type of threatening is not new in the area. Two years ago Christians from the same area were implicated using identical tactics. They are still facing the consequence of choosing to stick to their faith as the case against them is still going on.

Mr. Sahu further said that these are tactics of harassment against simple Christians who are not well off economically to discourage them from following their faith. He did not rule out the influence and involvement of Hindu fundamentalist organizations like the RSS, VHP and the BJP.

Meanwhile the Christians still languish in prison. The orders for their bail have been given, but the Hindu fundamentalists made sure that they had a way of circumventing even this.

Mr. Sahu told Compass that the Bail orders explicitly say that the bail security of Rupees 10,000 for each person has to come from within the village Hathod and that outsiders are not allowed to provide security for bail.

Due to the influence of the Sarpanch and fundamentalists this is currently not possible, for no one wants to help the Christians and risk their status in the village.

At the time of the writing of this report efforts continue to bail the Christians out while the situation in the area remains tense.

Only 1.9 percent (401,035) of the total population (20,833,803) of Chattisgarh are Christians according to the 2001 Census.

Authorities to tear down 109 homes belonging to Christian Tribals in Orissa

Rourkela (AsiaNews) - Koraput district authorities in the state of Orissa (eastern India) have ordered the demolition of the homes of more than 100 Christian Tribals. This could further fuel inter-religious tensions in the city of Jeypore, where many fear a 'cleansing' campaign by Hindu fundamentalists.

Although district collector Shubha Sarma ordered the immediate demolition of 109 homes belonging to Christians, the victims of the decision are certain that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu extremist paramilitary group, is behind it. Recently, the RSS set up a training camp in Jeypore that hosted Orissa Finance Minister Manmohan Samal and Water Resource Minister Rabi Nanda.

Local Christians believe that Nanda, backed by Samal, is responsible for the demolition - both, they fear, intend to 'cleanse' the town.

"It is a very, very tragic situation," said Mgr Alphonse Bilung, Bishop of Rourkela. "These houses are inland, in a semi-forested area, largely inhabited by very poor Tribal people."

"They are receptive to Christianity and this make the fundamentalists angry since the children of these Tribals like those of all faiths and caste now receive an education so they cannot be exploited to the extent they were exploited before," he explained.

As soon as the order was posted, Christians tried to delay the demolition but district collector Shubha Sarma rejected their request. Instead, he ordered the deployment of police forces given the rising tensions. He also refused to speak to press.

"Fundamentalists are continuously plotting schemes to instil terror in the minds of these poor folks, using psychological and economic intimidation," Bishop Bilung said.

Most Tribals are farm labourers who earn day wages and depend on the majority for their livelihood.

Representatives of the local Christian community have asked Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to "stop the inconsiderate expulsion of these poor people on the eve of the monsoon season".

The affected people are so poor, the Bishop points out, that they have very few possessions. "They barely possess a cupboard, and few kitchen utensils bought with much sweat and toil," he said.

"When their houses are destroyed, they will loose whatever they possess and they won't be able to afford a simple shelter against the [coming] rains."

Orissa is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Hindu nationalist political party—until last year, it also controlled the Union government.

The RSS, a paramilitary group linked to the BJP, is dedicated to the violent promotion of the Hindutva (Hinduness), a nationalist ideology whose ultimate goal is the setting up a minority-free, Hindu-only state in India (Hindu Rashtra).

(Courtesy: Asia News)

Missing Pastor found dead in Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI, June 6 (Compass) -- Police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh found the body of Pastor Isaac Raju on June 2. Raju went missing on May 24. Just days earlier, on May 21, the body of Pastor K. Daniel was found with marks suggestive of an acid attack. Both Raju and Daniel pastored churches on the outskirts of the state capital, Hyderabad. A letter sent to a local newspaper claimed the murders were the work of an organization called the "Anti-Christian Forum." After the letter was received, police questioned 150 members of Hindu nationalist organizations but at press time, had no suspects. A reward has now been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders.

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Second Pastor Found Dead in Andhra Pradesh, India
'Anti-Christian Forum' claims responsibility for murders.

NEW DELHI, June 6 (Compass) -- On June 2, police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh found the body of Pastor Isaac Raju, missing since May 24.

According to Sam Paul, national secretary of the All India Christian Council, the body was found wrapped in a jute bag that was dumped behind bushes in the Golconda area, just outside the state capital, Hyderabad.

Raju, who led an independent church on the outskirts of the city, is survived by his wife and 18-year-old son. His 15-year-old daughter died in a road accident in April.

This is the second case of mysterious disappearance and death of a Christian minister in Andhra Pradesh in recent weeks. On May 21, the body of K. Daniel, a preacher from Kummarvadi, also on the outskirts of Hyderabad, was found bearing marks suggestive of an acid attack.

"We don't know what's happening, but we are scared," Paul told Compass. "Someone called and told the police that [Raju's] body was lying there. At first the police could not find the body. Then another call came, giving precise directions, and the body was found.

"The same thing happened in Daniel’s case. They called to tell where the body was. It's a very planned way of terrorizing the Christian community," he added.

"The body was so badly decomposed that it could not be recognized. The police identified him from his belt and clothes."

A post mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death, but Paul believes the murder was clearly "a religious crime."

According to sources, a man named Vinod called to see Raju a week before his disappearance and asked if he was available as a wedding celebrant. Raju's father answered yes. A week later, on May 24, Raju told his wife that Vinod had phoned and that he was going to meet him. When Raju failed to come home, the family reported him missing.

Following his disappearance, police launched a massive manhunt. The situation was particularly worrying, as K. Daniel had also been approached regarding a wedding ceremony before his disappearance, according to an Associated Press (AP) report on June 5.

The AP report also said police questioned at least 150 members of Hindu nationalist groups after an anonymous letter was sent to a local newspaper, claiming the murders were carried out by an organization called the "Anti-Christian Forum."

Paul confirmed to Compass that a state newspaper published a copy of the letter on May 31.

"The release said that [the Anti-Christian Forum] was responsible for Daniel's death and that they would repeat such killings. We didn't take it seriously at the time, thinking it was a ploy, but the police are now investigating who is behind this organization," said Paul.

Following the recovery of Raju's body, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team to find those responsible for the murders. The home minister has also offered protection to Christian missionaries living in the state.

"Pastors of larger churches are not scared, but others, those who live and work alone on the outskirts of the city, are really scared. There are at least 200 to 300 of them," Paul said.

There are approximately 1,500 churches in Hyderabad city, and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. Rajshekhar Reddy, "claims to be a Christian," according to Paul.

At press time, the Christian community in Hyderabad was planning a peace march. Christian leaders also planned to meet with Reddy to discuss security concerns.

Meanwhile, a notice in The Hindu on June 6 offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers of Daniel and Raju.

(Courtesy: Compass Direct)

Church Attacked Again in Manipur, India

NEW DELHI, June 6 (Compass) -- The Believer's Church in Lamding, Thoubal district, Manipur state, suffered another attack on May 29.

Members of the church submitted a memorandum to Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh on May 30 in protest.

Copies were also sent to the director general of police in Manipur; the deputy inspector general and the superintendent of police (S.P.) in Thoubal district.

The memo requested that Singh provide security for the church, and urged the return of a police security guard.

"Lamding Believer's Church and other victims of minority faiths approach your high office once again to seek protection from anti-people elements," the memo said. "In spite of repeated demands prompted by series of attacks and threats to the minority people, security measures are yet to be taken in this regard."

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the church late on the night of May 29. One person was injured when he fell into a ditch in panic after hearing the gunshots. However, 30 church workers and missionaries who were on the grounds at the time of the attack remained unharmed.

The attack is the fourth on the Believer's Church. The first attack occurred on November 23, 2004, when a crowd of Hindus demolished the church while construction was underway.

A second attack took place on March 8, when about 20 people attacked the church and dismantled its boundary wall. The church was attacked again on April 19. (See Compass Direct, "Church Burned, Christians Attacked in Manipur, India," April 25, 2005.)

In the most recent attack, a number of Christians were gathered at the church when a Maruti Gypsy jeep drove slowly up to the premises at around 11 p.m. "When they turned on their torch lights to see who was in the vehicle, the people in the jeep opened fire," the Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei, pastor of the Believer's Church, told Compass.

"They fired as many as 40 rounds in the air and around the church, due to which there was panic and chaos in the church area. As a result, one of our workers, Mr. Jangkhogin Chongloi, fell into a ditch and received minor injuries," Vaiphei added.

Earlier that day, a Hindu villager who sympathized with Christians had warned Vaiphei by telephone that villagers were planning an attack on the church that night.

"I immediately called the superintendent of police and informed him about the warning," said Vaiphei. "One policeman, seemingly sent by the S.P., came in civil clothes at around 7 p.m. to view the situation around the church then left.

"Our workers and missionaries were afraid and could not sleep," Vaiphei explained. "In fact, they were watching over the church; which is why, as soon as they saw the jeep coming towards the church, they got suspicious and focused their torch lights on it."

Vaiphei said the Christians immediately reported the incident to the police, but police did not visit the church until 7 the following morning. When the church members went to the police station on the afternoon of May 30, the police refused to register a complaint.

"However, the office of the S.P. accepted their complaint the same afternoon," Vaiphei added.

The situation at Lamding has been tense since the previous attack on April 19. A "Committee Against the Construction of the Church at Lamding" (CACCL), formed by local villagers, has issued continual threats against the church members.

"On April 21, Mr. Nityai Meitei, convenor of the CACCL, told a local newspaper, the Sangai Express, that the Believer's Church should vacate the land or they would have to face the consequences," Vaiphei told Compass.

Compass also spoke to Sub-Inspector N. Manikant of the Thoubal Police Station, who claimed the attack was unplanned.

"The attackers were seemingly from a local extremist group called the 'Valley' because they were carrying sophisticated arms," Manikant said. "They opened fire only when two church missionaries focused their torch lights on them."

Manikant admitted there were no security personnel deployed near the church that night, despite the warning of a possible attack and a court injunction order, issued on February 3, directing local authorities to provide a security guard for the church.

Manikant denied the existence of the court injunction, VIDE No. 117 of 2004, claiming that the S.P. had voluntarily provided a "mobile team of policemen" to protect the church against any attack.

However, when Compass phoned Nikhit Kumar Ujwal, the S.P. of Thoubal district, he declined to comment.