Thirteen tribal Christians who were seriously injured during a violent attack in Chhattisgarh state are continuing to recover after being hospitalised, while nine people arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail.
The attack took place on 31 May in Sadrapal village, Sukma district, where around 60 Christians had gathered for a Sunday worship service. According to those affected, a group of 40 to 50 villagers entered the meeting and assaulted worshippers with wooden sticks, axes and sickles.
Among the injured was 35-year-old Hunga Madavi, who suffered a serious head injury and lost a large amount of blood. He said doctors gave him multiple blood transfusions before he was discharged from hospital on 12 June.
Witnesses said the attackers struck men, women, children and elderly worshippers without distinction. A five-year-old girl was reportedly among those injured during the assault.
Christians at the scene also alleged that the attackers stole money from the place of worship, including offerings and cash kept inside Bibles, before damaging copies of the Scriptures.
In total, 13 Christians required hospital treatment. Several suffered severe head wounds, broken bones and deep cuts that required stitches, while others sustained internal injuries and bruising. One victim remains in need of surgery for a broken leg.
According to those present, the violence only ended after one Christian escaped and alerted police, who travelled to the village and brought the situation under control.
Fearing further violence, the ten affected Christian families stayed away from the village while receiving medical treatment. When they returned on 14 June, they found their homes had allegedly been ransacked.
The families said doors had been forced open, food supplies scattered or stolen, livestock taken and cash removed from their homes. Hunga Madavi said his family's chickens and savings had disappeared, while another Christian family reported that their goats were missing.
Police registered a case against ten named suspects following the attack. Nine of those accused were arrested but were later granted bail on 15 June.
Christian leaders have criticised the police investigation, arguing that the charges filed did not reflect the seriousness of the violence. They also questioned why no charges relating to religiously motivated violence or attempted murder were included despite the extent of the injuries.
Some local Christians believe a long-running family land dispute involving one of the victims was used as a reason to target the wider Christian community. However, they said the attack reflected years of growing hostility towards Christian families in the village rather than a disagreement over property alone.
According to local Christian representatives, the affected families have faced social exclusion for several years, including restrictions on access to shared water sources, electricity, government food assistance and public pathways.
The incident comes amid wider concerns over increasing pressure on Christian communities in parts of Chhattisgarh. Christian organisations have reported a rise in attacks, social boycotts and intimidation against believers in recent years.
Adapted and rewritten from reporting by Morning Star News.
