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India

  • Christians beaten, churches set on fire

    The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of attacks on Christians in India in recent weeks.

    At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 10, two church buildings in Imphal district, Manipur state were set on fire by Hindu militants, according to a May 15 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The next day, another church building in the area was also torched. The church buildings were badly damaged and furniture and equipment destroyed.

    On the afternoon of May 12, Hindu militants barged into a school in Chennarayapatna, Hassan district, Karnataka state where pastors and other Christians were meeting for prayer. The militants accused the believers of forcible conversion and beat several of them, including Pastor K.K. Ramesh. They also verbally harassed the women present and burned Bibles and other religious literature. The militants eventually made their way to Pastor Ramesh's home and destroyed valuable items. When police arrived approximately an hour later, they took several believers to the police station and detained them. Those injured were denied medical treatment. All were released at approximately 10:30 p.m. without charge.

    On May 14, ten Hindu militants accosted Pastor George Philip (58) while he was walking in the village of Kottavillai, Tamil Nadu state. When the pastor tried to walk away from the militants, he was pelted with stones and beaten. He was later hospitalized for his injuries.

    Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in India will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Churches attacked, believers beaten

    The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of violence against Christians in India in recent weeks.

    On May 5, Hindu militants attacked approximately 200 Christians gathered together for a meeting in Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra state, according to a May 6 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants forcefully entered the building, blocked the exits and ordered the believers to chant "Jai Shri Ram" (Praise Lord Ram). Those who refused were beaten. Several were injured, including a 5-year-old girl and a pastor who required five stitches in his head.

    A church building was set on fire by Hindu militants on the morning of May 5 in the village of Sivapuram, Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh state. Neighbours alerted the pastor and church members of the fire at approximately 2:00 a.m. By the time they arrived on scene, however, the furniture, pulpit, carpet and audio equipment had been destroyed.

    On May 7, Hindu militants disrupted a prayer meeting held in a home in Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh state, according to a May 11 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants shouted abuses at believers present, accused them of forcible conversion and beat them. One believer suffered a broken arm. Five of the believers were arrested and taken to a police station. All were granted bail the next day.

    Pray for peace in India. Pray for healing for injured believers. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to be salt and light in the midst of oppression.

    For more on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastor jailed in Andhra Pradesh

    Pastor Prabhu Dass was arrested by police while attending a prayer meeting in a local Christian's home in the village of Dharmapuri, Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh on April 6, according to an April 9 report from All India Christian Council. During the prayer meeting, a man asked Pastor Dass for some Christian literature. When Pastor Dass gave it to him, the man left. He later returned with a group of villagers and they threatened the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting people. Pastor Dass was taken to the local police station where a complaint was filed against him. He was then detained in a local jail and remained imprisoned at last report.

    Pray for the release of Pastor Dass. Pray that he and other suffering believers will find strength in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

    To learn more about India's suffering Christians,click here.
  • Church burned, pastor attacked

    At approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 24, the Jesus Prayer House church building in the village of Kuruvakalva, Andhra Pradesh was burned by Hindu militants. Bibles, hymnals and furniture as well as the roof the church were destroyed.

    On April 5, Pastor Yadal was attacked in the village of Vadarpalaya, Karnataka. Police officers stopped Pastor Yadal while he was on his way to preach at the House of Salvation church. An officer beat the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting Hindus. Hindu militants then called two local pastors to the scene and warned them to stop holding church services. The militants also went to two other churches in the same village and warned them against gathering for worship.

    Pray for strength and wisdom for the victims of these attacks. Ask the Lord to embolden Indian Christians to continue serving Him and worshipping together despite pressure (1 Peter 5:10).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Christian killed in Orissa

    A 23-year-old Christian man, Gunjan Digal, was run over by a tractor and killed in Gungibadi village, Kandhamal district, Orissa, according to an April 1 report from AsiaNews. Police have claimed that the incident was an "accident." According to eyewitnesses, however, the driver of the tractor intentionally drove into Digal as he was walking on the side of the road. Digal's faith was well-known in the Hindu-majority area.

    Pray that those in mourning will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Orissa who are willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).

    To find out more about the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Orphanage burned, believers attacked


    Photo from AsiaNews

    An orphanage in Bargarh district, Orissa, India that was torched by Hindu militants last August (for more information, click here) was burned to the ground a second time on March 20, according to a March 27 report from AsiaNews. The orphanage was placed under police surveillance following the August attack, during which a young teacher was thrown into the building and burned alive. However, police were not on site on the night the orphanage was set ablaze.

    In the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, a group of believers was attacked on March 27, according to All India Christian Council. Pastor Pramodam Joshua, his wife, his son and seven other church members were gathered in a believers' home when three youths approached the owner of the building and threatened him for allowing the prayer service. Two youths confronted the Christians while they were traveling home and demanded to know why they
    were converting Hindus. Pastor Joshua and at least two other believers were beaten and injured.

    Pray for lasting peace and stability in India. Ask God to heal the injured believers. Pray that God will embolden Indian Christians to be Christ-like examples to their persecutors.

    To learn more about India's suffering Christians, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastors attacked by Hindu militants


    Pastor Erra Krupanamdam
    Photo from GCIC

    The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of violence against Christians in India in recent weeks, including two attacks on pastors.

    On March 9, Hindu militants armed with rods and hockey sticks barged into the home of Pastor A.K. Wilson in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi and accused him forcibly converting people. The militants beat him, his wife and his son and robbed him of 15,000 rupees ($370 CAD). They also told him that they would burn his house down and murder his family if he did not leave the area within one week.

    At approximately 6:00 p.m. on March 11, Pastor Erra Krupanamdam was returning from a prayer meeting in a new believer's home in the district of Medak, Andhra Pradesh when he was attacked by a mob of Hindu militants. The militants spoke out against the pastor's faith, told him not to conduct any more prayer meetings and beat him. He suffered fractures to his back and ribs. Later that night, with the aid of local pastors, Pastor Krupanamdam registered a complaint at the police station. At last report authorities had apprehended one of his assailants.

    Pray for healing for these believers. Ask God to give church leaders in India the wisdom to know how to shepherd believers through times of suffering (James 1:5).

    To find out more about the plight of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastor shot in Bihar state

    On March 8, the Prarthana Bhawan church in Rothas district, Bihar state, India was attacked by a 25-year-old man who threw a bomb through the window, according to a March 10 report from Compass Direct. As church members fled, the assailant, Rajesh Kumar Singh, entered the building and shot Pastor Vinad Kumar (35). Singh was apprehended by church members before he could inflict more harm. In a statement given to authorities, Singh revealed that he had intended to kill Pastor Kumar in an effort to stop conversions to Christianity in the area and had planned to take his own life. Local Christians claim that the presence of Hindu nationalist groups has increased in the area in recent weeks and the pastor had received a threatening letter from militants demanding that he stop preaching. At last report, Pastor Kumar was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to make a full recovery.

    Pray for healing for Pastor Kumar. Pray that Singh would understand the truth about Jesus and come to faith in Him. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in India will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.
  • Pastors arrested in Madhya Pradesh

    Three pastors were arrested in recent weeks in Madhya Pradesh, India for their alleged involvement in selling a book offensive to Hindus at a January conference in Anuppur district. Two individuals were selling books entitled "Secularism and Hindutva" near the site of the three-day prayer conference. A group of Hindu militants purchased a copy, brought it to the local police station and filed a complaint against the conference's organizer, Pastor Paulose. After explaining to police that he was unaware that the books were being sold, Pastor Paulose was reprimanded and released. However, on February 25 he was again arrested. At last report he was denied bail and was being held at the Chachai police station.

    On February 19, two other pastors were arrested for "deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings" in connection with the complaint about the book. At last report, one was being held at the Shadol district jail while the other was freed on bail.

    Pray for the release of the imprisoned pastors. Ask God to give them and other suffering believers in India grace, wisdom and endurance as they serve Him (1 Peter 5:10).

    To learn more about Indian Christians under fire for their faith, visit theIndia Country Report.
  • Pastor beaten, Christians arrested

    The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of attacks on Christians in India in recent weeks.

    At approximately 11:30 a.m. on February 22, Hindu villagers disrupted a worship service and beat Pastor K. Krupanamdam in Gabbilalpet, Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, according to a February 22 report from All India Christian Council. Two police officers were stationed in the church at the time of the attack because local villagers had recently expressed their desire to seize the property. However, they were not able to get the situation under control until more officers arrived on scene. Pastor Krupanamdam was eventually taken to the police station where he registered a complaint against his attackers.

    At approximately 9:30 a.m. on February 24, two Christian women, K.P. Mary (34) and Sangamma (49), were arrested on charges of forcible conversion in the village of Ravaruu, Karnataka. When Hindu militants noticed the women visiting with two new converts to Christianity they lodged a complaint with police.

    Pray for Pastor Krupanamdam as he recovers from the attack. Pray for the release of the arrested believers. Pray that those oppressing Christians in India may experience repentance and salvation (Acts 9:1-19).

    To learn more about Christians suffering for righteousness' sake in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

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