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India

• 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.

• Christian killed, believers threatened in Kandhamal

  Hrudayananda Nayak (40) was found dead in the village of Rudangia, Kandhamal district, Orissa state on February 19. The day before, Nayak was abducted by a group of Hindu militants while on his way home from a nearby town. Nayak is the third Christian known to be murdered in the area since late October.

  Christians in Kandhamal displaced by anti-Christian violence (click here for more) remain fearful to return home to their villages. According to a February 18 report from Compass Direct, 18 families in Bareka village were recently forced to undergo Hindu rituals and sign documents that stated they had converted to Hinduism of their own will. Approximately 400 Christian families from Piangia Budaripura village remain in a relief camp because militants have stated they can only return if they convert to Hinduism. In Betticola village, the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a destroyed church building (click here for more details) has been stopped by officials. However, according to a February 25 report from AsiaNews, they are also refusing permission to rebuild the church building until the deed of ownership is presented.

  Pray for the Nayak family as they mourn. Pray for daily protection and strength for Christians in Kandhamal (Hebrews 12:2-3).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Christians threatened and mistreated in Kandhamal, India

  Despite government assurances of stability in Kandhamal district, Orissa state, the tension remains high for Christians returning from the relief camps to what remains of their homes, churches and livelihoods. According to a February 6 report from AsiaNews, approximately 17 people visited the village of Jhimangia in Kandhamal on February 2 to survey the damage before moving back. However, when they arrived, they were surrounded by Hindu villagers who warned them that they could not return unless they converted to Hinduism. Other Christians who have moved back to the district are reportedly facing harassment and discrimination. Elsewhere in the district, a foundation for a Hindu temple has been laid on the site of a church that was burned to the ground in August.

  Pray for boldness for Christians returning to their homes in Kandhamal district. Pray that the believers will be a light that draws their Hindu neighbours to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

  Learn more about the persecution of Indian Christians at theIndia Country Report.

• Attacks on Christians throughout India

  Pastor T. T. Abraham Photo from GCIC

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

  At approximately 11:15 a.m. on January 22, Pastor T. T. Abraham (52) was distributing Bible tracts in Vaithiry, Kerala state when he was beaten and kicked by three Hindu militants. The assailants fled when they saw a rickshaw driving by. Pastor Abraham sustained injuries to his neck, stomach and back.

  On January 24, approximately 500 Christians were attacked by Hindus when they attempted to return home by boat from Majuli Island in Assam state, where the believers had attended a priest's consecration service. The Hindus hurled insults at the Christians, accused them of forcible conversion, and beat several people. The Christians fled in fear and did not return to the boat dock until later in the evening, when they were able to leave the island under police supervision.

  On January 26, members of the Navjivan Fellowship Church were conducting a baptism in the city of Gangapur, Maharashtra state when a group of Hindu militants armed with cricket stumps, iron rods and sticks arrived. Shouting "Jai Shri Ram" (hail to Lord Ram), the militants beat those present, including women and children. They also damaged the car of one Christian. One believer was injured in the head and others sustained broken limbs.

  Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4).

  For more on Christians suffering for their faith in India,click here.