Seven Hindu extremists arrested for attacking church

Police on Monday arrested seven Bajrang Dal activists for their alleged involvement in the attack on a 100-year-old church in Saoner, Maharashtra.

The arrested were identified as Uddhav Choudhary (34), Vinod Bagde (28), Umesh Astontankar (36), Ajay Chatle (41), Vikram Gaye (34), Ramesh Dube (27) and Bhagwati Janawar (69).

A local court has ordered them to be placed in police custody till April 24.

On Sunday, over 20 Hindu extremists stormed the Douglas Memorial Church on allegations of forceful conversions. The extremists armed with sticks and swords, injured three women and destroyed church furniture, Bibles and a mission school bus parked outside the church.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India has condemned the incident and has requested prayers for Pastor Sakharpekar and his 300-member congregation.

The pastor has denied allegations of forced conversions and said the church is being attacked on 'erroneous' reasons.

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