Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum has alleged a large-scale attack on the Tribal Christian community in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.

According to forum president Arun Pannalal, the anti-Christian violence broke out at around 2 am on November 25 in Sindhwaram, a village under the Gajiraj police station in the central Indian state.

Pannalal stated that hundreds of people were injured and many feared dead, although the death toll is yet to be confirmed. The Christian tribal rights activist also stated that they have tried to connect with the district collector and superintendent of police of Sukma all night, but without success.

“Gajiraj police station phone number is switched off since 2 am,” stated Pannalal.

The organization stated that an activist of Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, managed to contact the Gajiraj police station in charge at around 6 am. However, the police station in-charge denied any such incident. But the activists say that the victims have been sitting at the Gajiraj police station since 7 am.

According to the information received and shared by the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, an early ‘Christmas worship’ was organized in the village Sindhwaram by the Christian community. Christian families from nearby villages also participated in it. After the community meal, the people slept in the tent. Around 2 am they woke up when an allegedly drunk and armed mob.

“The murderous attack continued till five in the morning. Hundreds of Christians have been injured, many are feared dead, but the news of death cannot be confirmed,” stated Pannalal in his statement. According to the activists, an atmosphere of fear persists in the area. Activists alleged that the villagers did not let anyone take videos or photos of the attack’s aftermath.

The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum stated that their district president and team were not allowed to enter the village. “With the fear of such tension and possible carnage,” the forum stated that it “has been appealing” to the state’s chief minister, home minister and high officials “and making them aware for two years, yet it has not been taken seriously.“

They alleged that the “entire Bastar region is being disturbed in a planned manner. This is a planned and conspiratorial attack.” Pannalal has demanded that the government “should act immediately, the matter should be investigated in depth.”

Earlier in November the Chhattisgarh High Court sought a response from Kondagaon Collector, SP and the state government after the attack on tribals who had voluntarily converted to Christianity recently. The Christian families had alleged that they were harassed, threatened, and homes were vandalized by some locals who were angry that they had adopted Christianity.

In September, Christians living in the Kondagaon village had reportedly lodged a police complaint alleging that the locals were harassing them and that they feared for their lives and property.

“The Christians are being beaten up, their properties ransacked and intimidated in spite of the presence of senior officials such as the Collector and SP. As many as 10 Christian families from different villages have approached cops for protection from the mobs. The affected families are living in an absolute helpless situation,” Pannalal had stated.

Around 16 tribal families filed a petition in the High Court and stated that they had converted to Christianity of their own accord in September this year. This angered some in the village who after meeting on September 19 and 20, ‘reported’ the conversion at the local police station. On September 22, some angry villagers allegedly attacked the Christian houses and damaged property. The repeated the attack next day.

According to news reports, the mobs want the Christians tribals to “return to the tribal fold if they wish to live in the villages.”

Pannalal, had alleged that a mob of around 2,000 had ransacked the houses of at least 14 Christian families and also thrashed members of the community in Kakdabeda, Silati and Singanpur on September 22 and 23. These families, with over 50 members, were being pressured to quit their faith, he had alleged.

Source: sabrangindia.in