Pray for India | 200-Strong Mob Attacks Church

Christians are in shock after a 200-strong mob attacked a church in Telangana State, India, leaving 22 Christians injured.

After the horrific attack, Open Doors local partners were able to speak with and minister to Nitish*, one of the local Christians in the community affected by the attack.

“That evening, around 30 believers were there in the church. The local villagers started arguments with believers on road widening, which has been an issue for just a few days after we started our church renovation work. Other shops were nearby, but they weren’t targeted for road widening; only the church property was. There was a demand to widen the road encroaching on the church’s land by eight feet.

“The argument became strong, and suddenly around 200 people barged into the church with hockey sticks, stones, and wooden sticks. When the believers tried to stop them, they beat them mercilessly and broke everything that was inside the church. Even children and women suffered injuries, and some men required 10 to 18 stitches to cover the injuries they sustained. It was so painful to see their situation.”   

Innocent Believers Arrested

Nitish added, “The believers did not do any harm, but still the police arrested five believers along with others. When we filed a case against the attackers, they filed a counter case on 26 believers under Section 307, which defines the offense of attempt to murder. The imprisoned believers were terrified and forced to sign some documents in favor of the attackers. So, the attackers got bail and were released from prison immediately, whereas the believers were released on bail only today (Feb 29).”