Persecution Update: Bishop and 40 Pastors arrested by police in AP

The police arrested a Bishop and 40 Pastors in Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh, last week, alleged the Global Council of Indian Christians. Before the apprehension, the Christians were reportedly manhandled by the local Hindu extremists, said the GCIC report.

Dr. Sajan. K. George, its President, said the Christians who were on a mission tour from Vishakpatnam to Bhadrachalam in Khammam district were invited by the local pastor Isaac Sagar, to conduct a Christian seminar.

While the Ministers and Bishop John Peter of Baptist Church were assembled for a prayer meeting, the seemingly seething radicals, broke open the door and attacked the pastors

"The pastors were praying and worshiping in their room, when the radicals barged in. The RSS/BJP leaders were identified as T.C. Keshava, Suresh Goud, Durga Prasad, Naga Babu and local Sub Inspector Mr. Satish Kumar from Bhadrachalam Police station," said GCIC.

Police later apprehended Bishop John Peter and other pastors who were taken to the police station. The radicals apparently filed a case against the pastors, which is currently being investigated by the court.

GCIC requested prayers for the Christians and their safe release.

Meanwhile, another report states of an assault on Pastor Rampal Masih in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh.

On June 15th, when Rampal, the pastor of 'Believers Church' was conducting a worship service, a group of over 25 Bajrang Dal people, dragged and beat the Pastor.

"Thanks be to God, the Believers and neighbors rescued Pastor out of their hands. The Policemen and radical groups have left threatening to return and burn the church," said GCIC.

The rising atrocities against the Christian community, has seriously raised questions over the security and peace of the minority groups in a predominantly Hindu country. Much of the recent attacks have been attributed to the alleged ‘Proselytization’ of Christian missionaries.

According to a report by the Center for Religious Freedom, the attacks against the Indian Christian community for alleged 'forceful conversion', include murder of missionaries and priests, the sexual assault of nuns, the ransacking of churches, convents and other Christian institutions.