Christian families threatened with death if they return home

A group of Christian families in central India remain displaced after being violently attacked and expelled from their village by fellow residents opposed to their faith. The attacks took place on April 24 in Durandarbha village, located in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh state, a region known for its tribal population and ongoing persecution of religious minorities.

The violence began when villagers practicing a tribal religion summoned 11 Christian families to a community meeting. Upon arrival, the families were surrounded by roughly 60 armed individuals who demanded they renounce their faith in Christ. When the Christians refused, the villagers assaulted them with wooden sticks—beating men, women, children, and the elderly alike.

“They showed no mercy,” said Hirma Markam, a local Christian who has been assisting the displaced families. “The assault was ruthless and left many injured.”

Following the attack, about 45 Christians fled into nearby forests and hills, where they spent the night in the open before reaching safety at a church in Chintalnar, nearly 11 miles away. Some family members were separated during the escape and later reunited at a nearby village before continuing their journey to the church.

The hostility did not end there. A few days later, villagers allegedly burned down the home of Mediyam Lakhma, one of the Christians who fled. Additionally, reports indicate that villagers ransacked homes in search of Bibles and official documents—burning items such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and bank records.

“There was a deliberate effort to erase any trace of their identity,” said Padaam Hidma, a father of five who lost all his personal documents in the fire. “Even our Scripture was not spared.”

When two women returned to the village on April 28 to assess the situation, they were met with fresh threats. “They were told that if anyone returns while still following Jesus, they will be killed,” said Markam.

One Christian family that did not manage to flee continues to suffer. Reports suggest the father and one of his young sons were beaten and are now being held under a form of house arrest by villagers.

The families filed a complaint at a local police station on April 25 and were sent for medical examination. However, there has been little follow-up. Though police verbally warned the attackers and advised the victims not to return to the village for now, no formal arrests have been made.

“The authorities told us to wait for things to calm down, but we haven’t seen any justice,” said Santosh Markam, another Christian helping the displaced families.

As of early May, the Christians remain in makeshift shelter at the Chintalnar church. Weather conditions have added to their suffering—recent rainfall has leaked through the church’s temporary roof of wooden logs and straw, leaving many exposed to the elements.

“This is not just about persecution; it’s about survival,” said Markam.

The Durandarbha incident is not isolated. Less than two weeks earlier, seven Christian families were expelled from Karigundam village, also in Sukma District, after refusing to renounce their faith during a large council meeting attended by 2,000 villagers. Although some families yielded to pressure, eight refused and were driven out.

After news of the Karigundam incident reached social media, authorities, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), visited the village, warning community leaders against similar actions in the future. They also helped some of the Christians retrieve their belongings.

Despite these efforts, Christian leaders say the situation remains fragile. “Christians are being targeted simply for their beliefs,” said Bhima Sodi, a local Christian leader. “It’s a pattern of intimidation designed to wipe us out from these areas.”

Sukma District is one of India’s most remote and underdeveloped regions. Forests cover 65 percent of the area, and nearly 85 percent of its residents belong to tribal communities. Literacy is extremely low, and government services often struggle to reach those in need—leaving vulnerable communities, including Christians, with few options when violence erupts.

Advocates are calling for greater attention to the plight of Christians in Chhattisgarh and other parts of India where tribal customs and anti-conversion sentiments have fueled hostility.

“We urge the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and rights of religious minorities,” said Sodi. “Without intervention, more families will face the same fate.”

This article is a rewritten version of a report published by Morning Star News. The original article can be found here.

Source: https://morningstarnews.org/2025/05/christians-driven-from-homes-in-india-threatened-with-death/