Church burnt in Bastar, Chhattisgarh

Radicals from the Sangh Parivar organisation, yesterday, burnt and demolished a church in Bastar village, in response to the church’s Christian activities and "conversion drive" taken by the missionaries in tribal areas.

On November 19th, the seething activists entered Manduwa village and ransacked the newly constructed church. They bound the pastor of the church before physically manhandling him. The staff, however, managed to flee from the spot.

Sources said pastor Sudharu, the victim, fell unconscious after the beating.

"The cadre stayed at the spot for three hours to watch the church getting burnt and to demolish whatever remained after the fire," reported GCIC.
After receiving the information past midnight, senior officials of Jagdalpur rushed to the village to only find it empty. The church authorities have lodged an FIR with Korla police station in connection with the incident.

Pastor K. Rajan of Jagdalpur church said, the activists had mobilised in the village before staging a demonstration outside the church.

He also refuted the allegation that the church was involved in "conversion drive" and clarified they were working for the development of the tribals.

"The church works for humanity and will never indulge in distorting the glorious culture and tradition of tribals," he said.

The pastor noted that the missionaries working in the area are segregated from the mainstream society and are facing regular threats from Hindu fundamentalists.

He says the police have failed to take action against the activists involved. A meeting has been convened to discuss the next course of action.