Prayer group assaulted in Punjab

A mob of fundamentalist Hindu women attacked 12 believers in India's Punjab State. Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India says one of their church planters was leading a day of fasting and prayer in the home of a new Christian.

Around 20 women surrounded the group, shouted anti-christian slurs at them, and threw rocks. The meeting's host, Balaram, was hit in the head, and the female-led mob fled when he fell to the ground unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital and required 8 stitches in his head. Other believers also suffered minor injuries.

Police were called, but they told the Christians to stop holding the prayer meeting.

Mission India reports that earlier that day, four local women had approached the Church Planter and other believers and warned them to renounce their faith in Jesus and stop meeting for prayer, or they would face "dire consequences."

The ministry goes on to say that the village sarpanch, or elected leader, apparently had been encouraging such attacks on Christians.

Though the police so far have refused to file charges against the attackers, the believers have not yet given up hope for justice.

Mission India requested prayers both for boldness in their faith and for the freedom to follow Christ.