Church leaders attacked in Andhra Pradesh


Photo from GCIC

Although Christians were relieved to celebrate Christmas in relative peace and stability in Kandhamal district, Orissa, VOMC received reports of other Indian Christians who were targeted around the Christmas season. At approximately 10:30 p.m. on December 23, several pastors and prayer group leaders were attacked and severely beaten by Hindu militants while returning home from a Christmas prayer meeting near the suburb of Ramnagar in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. At the time of the report, three Hindus had been arrested for their involvement in the attack.

Ask God to grant healing and strength for those injured. Pray that the perpetrators will turn to faith in Christ and become a demonstration of God's love and mercy to others (1 Tim 1:16).

Learn more about how Christians suffer for Christ in India at the India Country Report. The feature article in the January edition of VOMC's monthly newsletter focuses on the persecution of Christians in Orissa, India. Click here to subscribe.

December 31, 2008
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India Profile

Location
Asia

Population
1,189,172,906 (July 2011 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), Mongoloid and other (3)

Religion (%)
Hindu (74.33), Muslim (14.20), Christian* (5.84), Sikh (1.86), Other (3.27)
*For many reasons, the most recent census (2001) significantly underenumerated Christians at 2.34%.
Christian researchers in India indicate much higher results, even up to 9%. New 2011 census results are expected before 2013.

Leader
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil

Government type
Federal republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Statistics provided by CIA World Factbook and Operation World.

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Persecution News - India

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(November 24, 2011)

Students at orphanage forced to pay idol worship fee
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Pastor's father beaten unconscious
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(June 16, 2011)

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> View all stories from India