Christians were attacked allegedly by Hindu fundamentalist Bajrang Dal activists, seriously injuring 12 of them at Madota village in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Christian body accused local officials were "hands-in-glove with the attackers."
According to Arun Pannalal, president of the Chhatisgarh Christian Forum (CCF), "Christians had gathered in Madota village under Bhanpuri block of Bastar district on Saturday morning. The purpose was to discuss the district administration's response to the petition filed by Christian bodies in the Bilaspur High Court over the ban on Christian missionaries in Bastar villages. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Deputy Superintendent of Police were also expected to be present. But no official turned up. Instead, around 30 to 40 Bajrang Dal members wearing saffron bands came armed with sticks and swords and attacked the Christians."
Among the injured 11 of them are in serious conditions remained in a hospital in Jagdalpur, according to CCF.
Meanwhile, the Bajrang Dal in-charge of Bastar region has denied saying, "The allegations levelled against the Bajrang Dal are absolutely baseless. Some Hindus were invited by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate for a meeting in the village. Some pastors were also present without any invitation. The Hindus protested their presence which led to a scuffle," he told the Hindu newspaper.
Earlier, over 50 village panchayats have adopted a resolution banning non-Hindu religious activities in tribal Baster region, which was allegedly due to an aggressive campaign launched by Hindu nationalist organization - Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). CCF has challenged this resolution in the High Court to the displeasure of VHP and other like-minded organisations like Bajrang Dal.
Mr. Pannalal told media that the manner in which the attack was orchestrated raises suspicion that local officials were "hand in glove with attackers" and this is nothing but a "pressure tactic".
"An announcement was made through drum beats that residents of Kotwar village should assemble at 9am on Saturday to meet the sub-divisional magistrate, deputy superintendent of police and town inspector to discuss ways to douse tension between the two communities. They waited till evening, but nobody turned up. By evening, right-wing activists came in a truck and attacked Christians, accusing them of promoting religious conversion," he said.
Mr. Pannalal said that since CCF has challenged the powerful gram sabhas' resolution in the High Court, he said, "We see this latest attack as a pressure tactic".
