Prayer meeting interrupted, pastor and family injured

In Fukagirota, 30 kms from Kondagaon of Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, Hindu extremists stormed the Sunday worship service (November 1), accused the pastor of forceful conversion, severely beat him up and threw his infant son to the ground seriously injuring his ear.

Akhilesh Edgar, EFI correspondent reported that at around 11 a .m, a mob of about 100 Hindu extremists barged into the worship service of Milan Prarthana Mandir, accused the pastor of forceful conversion and stared beating him, brutally snatched his one year old son from his mother and threw him to the ground and also beat up his wife and 10 church members.

The police arrived at the spot at about 1 p.m. and took the pastor to the police station. He was later sent to Kundagaon hospital where he received treatment. His condition is stated to be critical and his son, Akush Raj was also reported as having problem with his hearing from the injury of his left ear.

Local Christian leaders are approaching police officials to register a case against the extremists.

Chhattisgarh has a population of more than 20.8 million out of which only 401,035 are Christian. The state is ruled by Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the most influential extremist group and parent organization of a plethora of militant organization in India.

EFI requested believers to pray for Chhattisgarh which is one of the most insecure states for the Christian minority community and for justice and quick recovery of the pastor and his son.