Brutal attack against Pastor and wife in Kerala

A Pastor and wife, actively involved in local Christian activities, were brutally attacked by unknown assailants at Thrissilery near Kalpetta in Vayanadu District of Kerala. The incident according to a Christian news source occurred at 2.30 am on Sunday, Oct 14.

The victims, Pastor Joseph Thadikkal (57) and wife Ammani (52), belonging to the New India Bible Church were severely beaten and were admitted in the Mananthavadi district hospital with serious head and leg injuries.

"Few months ago Hindu organisations complained to the police against Pastor Joseph Thadikkal accusing him of converting people to Christianity," a local resident informed the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

Although Hindu organisations have denied connection with the attack, Deputy Superintendent of Police, K. Madhusudanan, has deployed a police team to thoroughly investigate and apprehend the culprits behind the attack.

According to latest reports, two RSS activists were arrested in connection with the attack. The attackers were presented before the local court, who ordered to confine them in Vythiry sub jail.

Nuchan Kandi Chandran (22) and Mullan kolli Sursh (24) from Plamoola colony in Thrisselery are the two perpetrators arrested. Police estimate atleast eight radicals to be involved in the ruthless attack.

Meanwhile, Paul Ciniraj President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India condemned the attack against the pastor and his wife and said, "Persecution towards Christians, Dalits and other minorities are seemingly increasing throughout India.”

"Priests, pastors, missionaries, evangelists and believers are being murdered, beaten, abducted and jailed. Women are being raped. Churches and institutions stoned, vandalized and demolished," he added.

Many parts of the country, Christians still live with insecurity and fear. Christian organisations and Rights groups have strongly condemned the character treatment of the anti–Christian elements who usurp the innocent for no cause.