Christians attacked in Nagpur

A group of believers belonging to the Church of Nazarene in Nagpur, Maharashtra, were attacked and beaten up by a group of Hindu radicals who were incensed by the viewing of the 'Jesus Film' in public.

According to information onbtained by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), Rev. Ravi Shambhakar, Ramprakash Sahu and Satpute were severely thrashed, February 8, 2007.

The fanatics who were on a rampage, also damaged the audio–visual equipment of the Christians. Satpute, who was brutally beaten, lost five teeth in the attack and later had to be shifted to a local hospital for treatment.

When Christian Legal Association of India (CLAI) spoke to Rev. Prabhkar Manmothe of the Church of Nazarene, he said that when the Christians had gone to register a complaint against the attackers at the local police station, the police officials admonished them by replying in a letter that they (the believers) "were in the wrong" since the film was shown in public without permission.

Investigations are presently going on and the police so far have arrested around five people who might be associated with the attack.

EFI has urged everyone to pray for the safety of the believers in Nagpur and so that the attackers are brought to justice soon.