Pastors attacked in Andhra Pradesh for 'bringing Jesus' to village

Three pastors were brutally attacked by a group of Hindu activists in a village in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh who threatened to set their houses on fire.

On November 3, Pastor Praharsi of an independent church had gone to visit a family that recently experienced a healing at Nachupally village in Birkur Mandal of Nizamabad district. He was joined by two other pastors in the village for a prayer service in the family.

According to All India Christian Council (AICC), while they were praying, some Hindu activists stormed in and started manhandling them. Crying anti–Christian slogans, the activists warned them not to "bring Jesus" in their neighbourhood and physically assaulted them, chasing them away.

In the attack, one of the pastors was seriously injured, AICC reported.

The following morning, the pastors complained about the incident in a local police station and were assured by the sub–inspector that investigations would be launched. However, no police came to the village to inquire about the incident. On the other hand, when the activists came to know that the pastors had complained against them, they mobilized a mob of about 150 people and threatened to set their homes on fire.

Fearing for their lives, the pastors and their families fled the village. All those who were injured in the attack were given medical treatment at Bhodan, AICC said.