Church Burnt to Ashes by Hindu radicals in Andhra Pradesh State, India
ICC Note
Hindu radicals poured a gasoline and burned down Jesus Lights Manna Church .
By James Varghese
12/10/2009 India (ANS)-A church was burnt down by Hindu radicals on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, in the Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh state, India .
According to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), police investigations revealed that, at around 2.00 am, members belonging to Hindu radical groups, Rashtriya Swayam Sevaks and Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP), poured petrol [gasoline] on Jesus Lights Manna Church and set it on fire.
The source said that the main entrance door of the church, the altar, window panes, church Amplifier (PA system), service books and Bibles were burnt to ashes.
It was known through the source that it happened that later, at around 4.00 am, people who saw the church burning informed Pastor Mengu Elia staying near the church and, in turn, Pastor Mengu Elia informed about the incident at the nearest police station and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the Hindu radicals.
The source said that the police officials have arrested a BJP leader and another culprit who were alleged to have directly involved in setting the church on fire.
