Members of eight tribal fa-milies who practice Christian faith in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh are now living in fear after people of their commu-nity thrashed them for not giving up their new faith. “We were beaten up on November 22 night with stick and slippers after for-cing into our houses,” said one of the villagers who follow the Chri-stian faith, but is not converted to Christianity.
The sudden attack led to inju-ries to around 15 people, includ-ing women and children. How-ever, only two women and a man are serous and they now w undergo treatment in a government hospi-tal in Kondagaon district. The villager, who did not want to be named, told, “We are fearing for our lives as the attackers had threatened to burn our houses if we continued with our faith in Lord Jesus.” He, however, insist-ed, “We will not give up our faith,” adding, “after coming to this faith we got peace in our lives.”
The Police reached the village on the same night of the attack, but did not initiate action against the attackers. Instead, they had friendly talk with them and left the spot.
Meanwhile Omkar Diwan, the station house officer (SHO) of Bade Dongar police station under which the violent attack took place denied the allegation that the police did not act upon the Christians’ complaints.