India Hindu Militants "Force" Orissa Christians To Convert "At Gunpoint"

Feb 4th, 2008 1:21 AM

By Stefan J. Bos

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BosNewsLife) -- Hindu militants have "forced" Christian families to "convert" to Hinduism and threatened to resume attacks against Christians in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, where up to nine people were killed in religious clashes last month... ...some 15 families in Orissa's tense Kandhamal District were "forcibly converted" in recent days "at gunpoint". Militants allegedly painted a Hindu sign "on the forehead of Christian tribal ladies" in Usurukupa village, while "feeding them goat blood mixed with raw rice" as part of the traditional "homecoming" Hindu ritual, the GCIC said... ...last week, shouting anti-Christian slogans and threatening to launch new attacks against Christians "till all of them convert to Hinduism." Police did not intervene, GCIC investigators said. VHP and other Hindu activists have also demanded that Christians apologize for the death of Hindu Khageswar Mallick, which they claim sparked the outbreak of violence on Christmas eve.

Christians deny any wrongdoing, saying Mallick fell down from a Church tower, while trying to damage the cross at an Orissa church. Hindu groups have also boycotted peace talks, backed by government officials, to end the crisis, despite reports that hundreds of families in Orissa remain homeless following the recent violence. Advocacy group All India Christian Council (AICC) has expressed concern the stand-off could lead to revenge attacks by some Christians. ...

...In Haryana some 100 supporters of the Hindu hard-line Bajrang Dal group apparently beat seven Christians and vandalized their house church on January 1 in Jind district. Compass Direct News quoted the Christian Legal Association (CLA) as saying the militants "stormed" a New Year’s worship service of independent pastor Ashish John, which was attended by at least 20 Christians. Fearing for their lives, the Christians reportedly ran away as the attackers continued to damage church property. Police allegedly did not register the complaint, but it was difficult to get independent confirmation. Rights groups have linked the violence to concern among Hindu groups over the spread of Christianity in India, a predominantly Hindu nation.

quoted from http://www.worthynews.com/christian/india-hindu-militants-force-orissa-christians-to-convert-at-gunpoint/

ps. as far as i'm concerned, the scenario has got worse lately. Pls pray for our brothers and sisters there. God be with them, and may his grace cover them.