Hrudayananda Nayak (40) was found dead in the village of Rudangia, Kandhamal district, Orissa state on February 19. The day before, Nayak was abducted by a group of Hindu militants while on his way home from a nearby town. Nayak is the third Christian known to be murdered in the area since late October.

Christians in Kandhamal displaced by anti-Christian violence (click here for more) remain fearful to return home to their villages. According to a February 18 report from Compass Direct, 18 families in Bareka village were recently forced to undergo Hindu rituals and sign documents that stated they had converted to Hinduism of their own will. Approximately 400 Christian families from Piangia Budaripura village remain in a relief camp because militants have stated they can only return if they convert to Hinduism. In Betticola village, the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of a destroyed church building (click here for more details) has been stopped by officials. However, according to a February 25 report from AsiaNews, they are also refusing permission to rebuild the church building until the deed of ownership is presented.

Pray for the Nayak family as they mourn. Pray for daily protection and strength for Christians in Kandhamal (Hebrews 12:2-3).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.