Christians who were gathered for a three-day prayer meeting in Dumarbhavna village, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh state were viciously beaten on October 3, according to an October 13 report from Compass Direct. Around midnight, a mob of Hindu militants entered the house where the meeting was being held and attacked the sleeping Christians. Three believers -- Muneshwar Ekka, Beik, and Ravi Devangan -- were forced into vehicles belonging to the militants and brought to a secluded place where they were further beaten. Muneshwar Ekka and Beik were then told to beat Ravi Devangan or face their own death. In fear for their lives, they beat Devangan until he was unconscious.
When local Christians reported the beating to the police the next day, they were assured that if they did not file a complaint against the militants, no complaints would be filed against the three Christians. However, the police later registered a "forcible conversion" case against the men. Another Christian, Fakir Chand Toppo, was falsely accused of the same charge. If found guilty, they could be fined or imprisoned for up to a year. At last report, the four were detained in a local jail.
Pray for these men as they await a sentence. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians of forcible conversion will understand that the Good News is a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
To learn more about the struggles of Christians in India, please visit the India Country Report.
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