Hindu radicals disrupt pastors' conference in Chhattisgarh

A mob of about 100–150 Hindu radicals disrupted a pastors' conference held in Pandri, Raipur district in Chhattisgarh, February 2, 2007, severely beating up 30 people including two foreigners.

According to an eyewitness, Mr. H.K. Patel, "Hindu extremists dragged [the believers] a distance of 1 km to the police station beating them along the way."

A young Christian man, Sakha Ram was brutally beaten and suffers injuries all across his body, he said.

While two foreigners – Mr. Jack and Mr. Coli – were roughed up by the extremists, two other foreigners, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Olson could manage to escape with the help of local Christians.

Local sources have claimed that the attackers also misbehaved with the women. The extremists snatched a laptop, Rs.5000 cash and two mobile phones, sources said.

According to the Christian Legal Association of India (CLAI), Mr. Sewa Singh and Mr. H.K. Patel, who were both present at the conference, have registered an FIR (First Information Report) under sections 147, 148, 149 and 294 against the unknown attackers at the Moa Police Station in Pandri, Lodhi Para, Raipur.