Three Indian Churches Raided by Radicals, Pastors Arrested
Three churches in the village of Amdi, India, were forced to close last weekend after a mob of right-wing radicals stormed their regular Sunday morning services.
The attackers ransacked the homes where congregants were gathered and warned them of further consequences should they continue to meet for worship. Christians in the village were left in a state of fear and intimidation, further worsened by the refusal of police to register a report against the attackers.
In the aftermath of the attack, three pastors were arrested and falsely charged with alleged ‘forced conversion activities’ – a common charge levelled against Christians when no true crimes have been committed.
The three men were Pastor Santosh Sahu of Immanual Church, who has been conducting the worship services for the last 12 years, Pastor Thakur Ram of Church of God, and Pastor Bhagchand Dhibar of A.G. Church. They were later released on bail, but that did little to ease the concern caused by the mob.
Eventhough the mob stormed into the church gathering but did not do any damage to the church building.
According to the report our people were arrested on forced conversion charges : Pastor Bhagchand Dhibar, the pastor’s wife, the pastor’s son, and the pastor’s daughter-in-law.
