Attack on pastors and believers by radicals celebrating political victory

During a Sunday worship service in Karnataka, Hindu radicals allegedly beat up Christian believers and pastors belonging to the IPC prayer center, last week.

According to the news carried by Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), pastor Freddy (34) and pastor Benny (34) were leading the worship with an attendance of about 50 believers in the church, while Hindu radicals assaulted them.

The incident happened in a church located in Kodlipet which is about 50 kms from Kishal nagar in Coorg district (225 kms travel from Bangalore).

"At about 11.30 in the morning, about 50 Hindu radicals came to the church, shouting anti–Christian slogans locked up the back door and forcefully entered the church and started beating up the pastor and believers with rods and pipes," said GCIC.

"Mr. Cherian (72 years), father of pastor Freddy along with Pastor Benny was beaten up badly and they sustained serious head injuries. Both of them are on their way to Bangalore for better treatment," added the Christian advocacy group.

Pastor Freddy was previously attacked and was also warned by the police and intelligence state agencies about a possible murder.

The radicals, who were celebrating their election victory in the local municipal election, even attacked the believers in the church.

Although the local police station has assured possible assistance to the church, there is fear lurking around, if the persecution can continue. The police too seem helpless before the militants, involved in the attack.