Church Vandalized and Pastor and Believer Beaten
By James Varghese
08/08/09 INDIA (ANS) -- A group of Hindu radicals attacked a church, alleging falsely that there were large scale conversion activities occurring in the area.
The attack occurred on Aug. 2 in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, India.
According to a story published by the All India Christian Council on its website www.christiancouncil.in, about 20 armed Hindu radicals attacked the church.
They reportedly attacked Pastor Joe Kaithavana, the Pastor of the church, and a church attendee called Deepu, late in the evening while they having their supper.
According to the story, the perpetrators verbally abused Kaithavana and Deepu and then beat them up, leaving them badly injured. Both were admitted to an area hospital, the website reported.
The church reportedly suffered extensive damage.
The All India Christian Council has condemned the attack, and is asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.
