Hindu militants beat a pastor and others and demolished a house church in Mandwa village, Chhattisgarh on November 19. According to a November 27 report by Compass Direct, members of the Bajrang Dal, together with local villagers, surrounded the church, tied up Pastor Suduru Kashyap and his associates and severely beat them. The church building was also destroyed. Reports indicate that they tried to kill Pastor Suduru by throwing a large stone at his head.

The pastor and his associates went to the local police station where they were detained for twenty-four hours without food and water. They were finally released without an official complaint being registered.

The following day, the body of 21-year-old Aayatu Kashyap, a distant relative of the church's pastor, was found fifteen kilometres from the village. The police superintendent claims that the killing was a separate incident but told Compass Direct that villagers were angry with the pastor because he used to criticize other gods.

Pray for the family of Aayatu Kashyap as they mourn his death. Pray for a full recovery of those injured in this attack. Pray for the continued ministry of this church despite the on-going opposition they face.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, click here.