On the evening of February 4, as Pastor Surendra and three other Christians named Ananda, Raghva and Harish were returning from a prayer meeting in the village of Uppalli in Chikmagalur, they were ambushed by a group of Hindu militants. According to a February 6 report from the Global Council of Indian Christians, the four were beaten and taken to the local police station where they were charged with forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.
Two days later, a group of five Christian leaders arrived to investigate the allegations and to work toward the release of the prisoners. They were asked to accompany a police constable to the site of the February 4 attack. When they arrived, they were met by a large group of armed militants who brutally beat them in front of the police. Two of the Christians were able to escape but the other three, V.P Ranga, P.A Johnson and Krishnappa, were taken to the police station. Police are now enforcing "prohibitory orders" in the village to prevent further attacks against Christians.
Pray that all charges against these Christians will be dropped and that they will be released. Pray that God will silence those who falsely accuse believers of forcible conversion Ask God to give strength and healing to those who suffer tremendous physical pain and trials for their faith (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.
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