INDIA: Christians Attacked and Denied Medical Treatment

Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Voice of the Martyrs AU

On 31 May, sources report that members of a mob of almost 100 villagers entered a Sunday church service in Sadrapal village, Sukma District in India’s Chhattisgarh State at around 9.30am. The mob demanded that the congregants renounce their faith. When they refused, the mob proceeded to attack the congregation of over 60 Christians, including children and a pregnant woman.

Around 30 church members sustained injuries, while five were critically injured and taken to the Sukma District Hospital for treatment. However, sources report that hospital staff initially refused to provide treatment until a First Information Report (FIR), which is required for the police to open an investigation, had been filed.

Sources further stated that when members of the Christian community first attempted to register a complaint regarding the attack, police refused to register an FIR, resulting in delays in medical treatment for some of those injured. An FIR was eventually registered on 5 June, and those who sustained critical injuries were transferred to a nearby private hospital for further treatment. All have since been discharged and returned home. Twelve people were arrested on 7 June, but all were released three days later.

• Thank the Lord for His protection during the attack, so that no lives were lost. Thank Him for the healing that many have received and pray for the Believers still battling injury from this attack.

• Pray for those who oppose Christianity, asking the Lord to soften their hearts to the Gospel. Pray for those who share Christ with them, asking the Lord to bless their faithful witness.

• Pray for the nation of India. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself as the One True God to those who oppose Him in this nation, so that many would come to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.