Church Attacked; Pastor and Believers Beaten in Karnataka, India
By James Varghese
9/7/08 KARANATAKA, INDIA (ANS) -- A church was attacked, and the pastor and service attendees were beaten up by a group of Hindu radicals.
The incident occurred in Davangere in Karnataka State in India on Sept. 7.
According to a story reported on www.persecution.in, the incident occurred at about 10.30 a.m. Sunday morning. The name of the church that was attacked is Mission Action Prayer Fellowship, pastored by E. Lukos.
The website reported that while worship was in progress, a group of about 50 Hindus radicals belonging to Rashtriya swayam sevaks (RSS) came into the church, and beat up the worshipers.
According to the website, the Hindus also took Bibles, musical instruments, furniture and a variety of other items which they destroyed. Using kerosene, they burned all the Bibles in front of the church.
The story said that they also damaged the church by breaking doors, window panes and the roof. The story also said that the radicals were accompanied by media personnel, and the attack was broadcast live on television.
The website reported that police from the Mayakonda police station were informed about the attack, and they are assessing the situation. However, no police complaint was immdiately registered.
Mission Action Prayer Fellowship is located in Bada Village, Davangere Rural. It has been holding worship services in the village for about 18 years.
