09/24/2020 India (International Christian Concern) – According to sources reached by International Christian Concern (ICC), 15 Christian families from three villages in India’s Chhattisgarh state were left homeless after being attacked by religious fanatics. Local Christians claim the attack took place after the families refused to recant their Christian faith.
On September 22, members of the Sarya Adivasi Samaj (SAM) group summoned 15 Christian families to a meeting in Kakadabeda village. At the meeting, the Christian were told they had to recant their faith or they would be forced to leave their villages. When the Christians refused, SAM members attacked. The Christians were beaten and forced to sign an affidavit which stated they agreed to stop receiving government subsidies, including basic food assistance that is normally distributed on a monthly basis.
After the meeting, SAM members attacked and demolished the homes of the Christians who refused to recant their faith. In total, 15 homes were demolished over the course of two days including 10 in Kakadabeda, two in Tiliyabeda, and three in Singanpur.
“The police and local authorities were not helpful as four homes were destroyed in their presence,” Shiyaram Payam told ICC. “No action was taken against those attacking the homes.”
Following the destruction of the 15 homes, the Christian families fled into the jungle for safety. Many fear further attacks by SAM members. Most are not confident they will receive any form of justice.
“This is a dangerous trend,” a pastor from Chhattisgarh shared with ICC. “This trend could spill into neighboring districts and eventually spread across the state of Chhattisgarh.”
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