As Rabindra Mallick, brother of Pastor Kulamani Mallick, was returning from the market in the village of Matiapara in Orissa, India on January 15, he was beaten and abused by local Hindus. To prevent problems in this small village of 70 people (where only nine are Christians), the incident was not reported to the police. The next day, however, local villagers armed with "lathis" (bamboo rods) attacked the Christians. Their houses were ransacked and the home of Pastor Mallick was set on fire. Nearby homes also caught fire and were destroyed. Six of the eight homes burned belonged to Christians.
According to a January 25 report from Compass Direct, police have arrested five of the villagers involved in the attack. Hindu villagers have also accused the Christians of forcible conversion. Members of the militant youth organization, Bajrang Dal, claimed the Christians were using torture to convert Hindus to Christianity. Pastor Mallick and his cousin Gunanidhi Mallick were arrested but were later released on bail. The All India Christian Council is urging the government to provide compensation, food and shelter to those now without homes. At last report, no aid had been received.
Pray that our brothers and sisters in Matiapara will be able to rejoice in the hope they have in Christ because of the false accusations leveled against them. Pray that Pastor Mallick will have clear direction from the Lord as he shepherds the people through this time.
For more information on India and the persecution experienced by Christians there, click here.
(Source: Compass Direct)
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