Danger in Manipur

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Gospel Asia missionaries support personnel recently bn targeted anti-Christian extremists Manipur, India. result political religious tension, GFA workers exercising extra caution minister.

Recently, anti-Christian extremists accosted physically abused Kumar Ojayit Vayu Dulal, Bridge Hope staff serve center Manipur. Kumar Vayu leaving local market, ty purchased food children, radicals approached them.

Surrounded radicals, Kumar Vayu we questioned, repeatedly slapped Kumar. Ts quickly degenerated io abuse workers. Kumar Vayu eventually released, extremists continued threatening walked away.

“You Christians trying convert people Christianity,” yelled. “If he again, dead.”

Kumar’s injuries we serious, deal pain days. Vayu’s physical injuries minor.

In incident, GFA missionaries traveling village ar ty witnessed murder. missionaries we forced stop tr car wn soldiers detained vehicle ft them.

As missionaries looked on, soldiers ft vehicle out. women children immediately fled forest, soldiers searched men. soldiers gun knife men. illegal India civilians carry weapons, suspected tt we militant rebel tt active area.

As missionaries continued watch scene unfold be them, soldier bn beating gun kicking them. Tn pretended go. walked away, soldier fired shots backs, killing instantly.

Terrified ty witnessed, missionaries afraid they, too, killed. However, soldiers allowed leave. GFA workers extremely thankful alleged militants shoot soldiers ty detained, killed crossfire.

There bn my or violent incidents tt occurred tt Manipur year, including shootings bombings. parents stopped sending children Bridge Hope centers se be ty fear safe travel.

The GFA missionaries Bridge Hope staffers request prayer tt peace tr state. prayer tt te at Christianity wl ce kw Christ’s saving love.

Anti-Christian Violence Spirals Out of Control in India

HYDERABAD, INDIA (ANS) — Reports fm eastern India burning Christian homes, murdered pastors, massive destruction Christian property continued sixth day. India Christian Council (aicc) leaders Orissa reported 17 Christians dead expect figure rise communication me remote regions.

“Differences religion blamed crimes. distressed defiance law Hindu fundamentalist leaders public comments wh spreading lies hate. Tr unpardonable excuse tt followers uncontrollably angry Christian conversions region,” Dr. Joseph D’souza, aicc President. “We deeply troubled se central government’s inadequate response. identical attacks happened exactly ne months ago unbelievable. wl convince authorities protect human rights enforce constitutional guarantees?”

Although se authorities claimed we attacks, situation continues spiral control, especially rural villages. Yesterday police gn shoot sight Kandhamal District, epicenter violence, mobs violating curfews. Also, Minister Home Affairs, Mr. Prakash Jaiswal, supposed visit affected areas. trip canceled security concerns. Aicc reliable reports increased violence Gajapati District southern pt state.

Today Human Rights Watch, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) sent joint letters U.K. Foreign Secretary, U.S. Secretary State, French Foreign Minister, European Commissioner External Relations urging issue statements concern anti-Christian attacks Orissa. CSW DFN aicc partners Britain USA, respectively. France currently holds presidency Council European Union.

Yesterday, afternoon address Vatican Square, Pope Benedict XVI deeply saddened violence India’s Christians. senior Vatican official called attacks “a sin at God humanity” according newspaper.

A seven inter-denominational delegation fm aicc Orissa se chapter met wh governor, Mr. Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, 30 minutes afternoon. “We apprised situation requested emergency deployment army, compensation victims, rebuilding houses churches, construction relief camps, restoration rule law,” Rev. P.R. Parichha, aicc Orissa president. evening aicc Secretary scheduled meet Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson ruling Indian National Congress Party Delhi.
The aicc supporting cl major Indian church networks close India’s Christian schools Friday, August 29, 2008. gs children – parents – learn situation Orissa realize communal divisions harmful India. encouraged people pray victims wl perpetrators. estimated 30,000 schools close doors India.

Christian leaders calling day prayer fasting as India September 7, 2008.

In aftermath murder Hindu swami unknown assailants August 23, 2008, mobs attacked Christian community eastern Orissa. Monday, 12 hour strike called hardliner Hindu nationalist organizations resulted spread violence. Media reports eye witness accounts indicate thousands Christian properties burnt, sexual assaults nuns, pastors killed tr homes. dedicated webpage at: http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2332/45/

From Dec. 24, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008, attacks Kandhamal district killed fr Christians destroyed 100 churches 730 Christian homes. victims we Dalits, untouchables.

The India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed 1998, exists protect serve Christian community, minorities, oppressed castes. aicc coalition thousands Indian denominations, organizations, lay leaders.

Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State of Orissa

Mob violence India’s Orissa continues escalate, reports coming Gospel Asia leaders Orissa 20 GFA-related churches destroyed hundreds Christian families he burned homes. dozen ms GFA-related churches he murdered, ks overall death toll.

“The Christians Orissa he fled tr lives forests,” GFA President K.P. Yohannan said, “and se hiding days food water.

“Several pastors forest church people, sd cd escaped, wd die people tn leave them.”

Dr. Yohannan called situation “unprecedented 30 ministry South Asia.”

“I nr seen persecution bad life,” Dr. Yohannan said, “and seen lot opposition Gospel years.”

Orissa, Australian missionary Graham Staines sons we burned death anti-Christian militants 1999, history opposition Gospel.

“Yet past year, he seen people pe tr faith Jesus Christ Orissa Indian state,” Dr. Yohannan noted. “So surprise opposition increasing.”

The lt reports coming include list specific attacks pastors, missionaries tr followers—including Christians hacked death. believer’s body cut seven pieces.

“They raping Christian girls—and gang rapes taking place,” Dr. Yohannan said. “We praying yg women Bible college campus remain safe. Te 250 students there, 90 girls. handful police officers trying protect them, blessing. he people campus attack students past, ag Christians pray protection.”

The violence ar Saturday night murder Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, leader VHP (World Hindu Council) outspoken opponent Christianity. killed attack 20 armed guns hand grenades. murderers suspected Maoist rebels, Hindu radicals seized killing excuse incite violence area’s Christian community.

“What disturbing,” Dr. Yohannan said, “is radicals oy incited ts violence, orchestrating it. reports bringing militants fm Gujarat, Chhattisgarh ss carry evil plans.”

Because swami’s goal stop spread Christianity, especially ag tribal lower-caste Indians, attack lt December incited similar wave violence—again targeting Christians.

“Between December 24 January 15, 730 Christian homes me tn 100 churches destroyed,” Dr. Yohannan recalled. “Several dozen Christian women sexually assaulted, me tn 40 shops owned Christians we looted.”

“Most victims Dalits, Untouchables,” noted.

“Basically, wt facing genocide—ethnic cleansing—against Christians, far, government spoken at it.”

Dr. Yohannan as concerned people West cl government officials—as wl India—to intervene disaster.*

“But prayer,” Dr. Yohannan emphasized. “Please pray tt God wl intervene situation, peace wl descend people Orissa, tt message love wl hearts India’s people.

Muslims ‘murder’ Pakistani Christian woman

By Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special Correspondent ASSIST News Service Pakistan

KASUR, PAKISTAN (ANS) — lt Muslim allegedly murdered Christian woman month pursuing theft named Police Information Report (FIR) connection wh murder.

Dara Masih, husband ”murdered” woman

The Muslim named Yaqoob Hadyat allegedly robbed deceased gold ornaments cash months murder.

Noban, 65, resident village Khraper district Kasur Punjab province Pakistan accused Muslim theft, Police apparently indifference apathy Christian woman instead arresting accused.

The Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan’s (SLMP) Chief Coordinator, Sohail Johnson, told ANS police “pressured Noban withdraw application at Muslim men.”

Johnson sd tt deceased remained steadfast believing firmness stance accused wd force Police apprehend them.

“On contrary, Muslim threatened death stop pursuing at them,” said.

Johnson undeterred threats, Noban insisted tt wd compromise ag tn justice.

Hadyat Yaqoob accomplices allegedly hit Noban head wh pickaxe asleep night July 2, 2008, died result head injury.

The Police Ganda Singh Wala registered vide Ft Police Information Report (FIR) No. 153/2008 offence section 302/34 Pakistan Penal Code.

Dara Masih, husband deceased, approached SLMP ar experiencing police’s ruthlessness.

“The Police pressuring broker reconciliation accused instead arresting them,” Sohail Johnson told ANS.

The Police he arrested Hadyat Sharif, fr named Police FIR, Sohail Johnson police ty guilty dg investigation.

The investigation ce transferred fm Station House Officer (SHO) Superintendent Police efforts SLMP.

Sohail regretted shifting investigation Superintendent “did difference” SHO, Superintendent Police “was pressuring Dara Masih reconciliation.”

Massive violence against Christians continues unabated in Orissa

HYDERABAD, INDIA (ANS) — Violent attacks at Christians eastern se Orissa continued 5th day. Christian leaders as denominations calling Christian educational institutions peacefully protest closing schools Friday. positive news, key appeal won Orissa Court afternoon protect victims restore order.

“Some people called violence ‘Hindu-Christian clashes’. accurate. Innocent Christians – Dalit origin – continue attacked communal organizations wh mocking rule law. Governance Orissa se appears disintegrated,” Dr. Joseph D’souza, President India Christian Council (aicc).

“We church Christian educational institutions Catholic, Protestant, Independent, unaffiliated Christian denominations service society close day,” sd Sam Paul, aicc National Secretary Public Affairs. aicc supporting cl fm church networks — including Catholic Bishops’ Conference India, Evangelical Fellowship India, National Council Churches India — close Christian schools Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. letter sent te sd part:

“Communal organizations tn law tr hands 12 districts Orissa targeting oy institutions persons. Wt stake oy freedom conscience minority community India’s secular democracy, commitment human rights constitutional guarantees. destructive divisive communal forces stopped. wt ts message fellow countrymen closing educational institutions Friday, 29th August 2008 deep sorrow anguish. hope parents aware implications incidents Orissa. request people pray victims violence Orissa or ps tr near dear ones. pray misguided perpetrators violence tt mend tr ws responsible citizens.”

A non-sectarian lawyers won it appeal Orissa Court morning. Lawyers Human Rights Law Network filed “Sangram Mallick vs. Union India”, Writ Petition Civil, No. 12318 2008. petitioner organization, Ambedkar Lohia Vichar Manch, sought rehabilitation victims, provision relief, increased protection — including deployment security forces Central Reserve Police Forces. division bench Court Cuttack, Orissa, including Chief Justice B.S. Chauhan Justice B.N. Mahapatra, specifically directed state’s District Collectors help victims return safely hiding forests homes.

In aftermath murder Hindu swami unknown assailants Aug. 23, 2008, mobs attacked Christian community eastern se Orissa. Monday, 12 hour strike called hardliner Hindu nationalist organizations resulted spreading violence. Media reports eye witness accounts indicate dozen Christians killed thousands Christian properties burnt. dedicated webpage at: http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2332/45/

From Dec. 24, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008, attacks Kandhamal district killed lt fr Christians destroyed or 100 churches 730 Christian homes. Sl dozen women sexually harassed assaulted, 40 shops belonging Christians we looted destroyed. Mt victims we Dalits, fy untouchables.

The India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed 1998, exists protect serve Christian community, minorities, oppressed castes. aicc coalition thousands Indian denominations, organizations, lay leaders.