FUNDAMENTALISTS stormed the burial service of a Christian, beat up the pastor and believers including women and children in Belgal, Kanker in Chhattisgarh on April 20.
According to reports, the village head and about 300 villagers instigated by the Hindu fundamentalists refused the burial of Jaikant Pawar, a convert Christian, who died of complications arising from asthma.
On the previous day, Pawar was taken to a nearby village, Pakhanpur, for treatment. However, the next morning he felt severe chest pain and an ambulance was called. Unfortunately he died before the ambulance arrived and his body was sent back to his village.
As the local pastor, Dhaniram Nag and the believers were taking the body of Pawar for burial service from his house, the fundamentalists suddenly surrounded his house shouting anti-Christian slogans. They abused the Christians and challenged the pastor and the believers to bring dead back to life. They then started beating the pastor, his wife and other believers including children and women.
As they continued attacking the small Christian community, the fundamentalists dragged the believers out from their houses and the small children were pushed and thrown. The beating went on till the pastor and the believers fell unconscious.
After much wrangling, the district officials helped the Christians bury Pawar in a graveyard in Belgal.
About 10 believers were injured in the attacks. A case has been lodged with the police. Please pray for Champa, the wife of Jaikant Pawar, the bereaved family and the ministry in this area.
