A suspected mob of 30 radical Hindus nationalist demolished a church and vandalized three cars parked outside the church building in Kongalnagaram, Tamil Nadu on January 1.
According to head pastor Nallamuthu Samuel of Grace Gospel Church, the mob attacked the church around midnight on New Year.
When the mob started to smash the car windows, three Christians who were sleeping inside the church building heard the noise and were alert. Fearing the mob would attack them, the Christians quickly escaped from the building.
The radicals completely destroyed the three cars and the Grace Gospel Church building. In total, they caused a damage of around 2.5 lakh.
Earlier that same day, head pastor Samuel was confronted by a few radicals. "Five people came to the church and threatened me to close down the church and leave the village," pastor Samuel told International Christian Concern (ICC). "Later, those same five people complained against me that I was involved in converting people to Christianity by illegally alluring people."
"God has called me to minister in this place covering 16 villages. I will continue to stay here, but I am not sure if we will be able to undo the damage caused by the attackers. However, I am determined to continue my ministry," pastor Samuel told ICC.
An FIR was registered against the attackers at the local police station and the matter is now under investigation.
