A Hindu extremist in Adigar, Phulbani, Kandhamal district on Jan 25 attacked a pastor’s hut and harassed his family, according to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). Jaleshwar Pradhan threw stones at the home of Pastor Patiba Mohan Kota while he was away, verbally abused his wife and pushed his daughters, shouting, ‘You Christians must not live here it is not your land.The last time your houses were only damaged, this time all of you will be buried here.’ Though damage to the house was minimal, the pastor and his family were in fear as Hindu extremists have previously tortured him causing partial loss of eyesight and hearing. The pastor was among those whose houses were destroyed during anti-Christian violence in 2008. Pradhan was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Pray: against ethnic hostility in and around Orissa. (Ps.109:28)

More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/article_1377575.html

On March 6th a Washington report, ‘Seeking Refuge’ highlighted 100,000 Chin People seeking refuge in Mizoram State, India. Leading refugee and human rights experts are calling on Mizoram State to respond to the protection and humanitarian crisis. The refugees face serious problems related to livelihood, health, and education. The Chins seeking refuge make up almost 10% of Mizoram's population, which is 95% Christian. The Chins in Mizoram have been out of sight and out of mind from the international community because of long standing travel restrictions to the region and because UNHCR has had no access to Mizoram. The delegation responsible for this report was only able to assess the protracted, urban refugee situation after the central government of India lifted the travel restrictions. Chins from Burma have no status or protection under the law and many suffer chronic economic insecurity, lacking adequate and stable shelter, food security, health and education.

Pray: that God will lead Mizoram State and the Indian Government into avenues of humanitarian ministry to its refugees. (Joel 2:19)

More: http://www.worldea.org/index.php/news/3905

In parts of India Christian pastors and communities are being continually persecuted. The following are just a few instances of persecution that need our prayers:- Pastor beaten and prayer meeting disrupted on 18 Sept in Karnataka. Prayer meeting stopped on 26 Sept by alleged Hindu extremists in Karnataka. Gospel meeting disrupted on 28 Sept by alleged Hindu extremists in Madhya Pradesh. Pastor arrested On 30 Sep in Uttar Pradesh. Baptism service disrupted on 2 Oct in Orissa. Pastor beaten unconscious on 11 Oct in Karnataka. Pastor arrested on false accusation of enticement on 12 Oct in Chhattisgarh. Pastor beaten up on 14 Oct in New Delhi. We are asked to pray for the persecuted families as they rebuild their lives, ministries and homes. Also this week the Evangelical Fellowship of India called on the Indian Government to observe international human rights requirements with regards to the Dalit Christian's constitutional rights.

Pray: for the government to grant Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and take steps to pre-empt violence against Christian communities and pastors. (Ps.121)

More: http://www.efionline.org/

Kashmir region’s grand mufti used a video from YouTube showing Rev Khanna baptising seven young Muslim men and women to have the Reverend arrested. The video was linked by other online platforms provoking an avalanche of verbal attacks against the clergyman. In early November the grand mufti summoned Rev Khanna of All Saints Church to appear before a Sharia Court accused of converting Muslims in exchange for money. The grand mufti called the police who then arrested him and later arrested the seven men and women who were in the video. According to witnesses, police beat the seven in order to testify against the pastor. The Jammu Christian Federation called on the government to release the pastor since administering the baptism on consenting adults is his prerogative. ‘The rights of Christians are being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and convenience,’ said the Global Council of Indian Christians.

Pray: for Indian Christians to continue to be entitled to minority rights and that Sharia Courts would not enforce laws on Christians. (Pr.3:27)

More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kashmir-pastor-arrested-for-baptising-seven-Muslims-23237.html

Twenty Bajrang Dal activists roughed up pastor Kamalesh and more than fifty believers at a prayer meeting in a in Bakli Village 55 kilometers from Raipur Chattisgarh. Men women and children were attending a prayer meeting at a house in a slum cluster on July 22nd, and during the prayers twenty armed men from Bajrang Dal openly identified themselves and threatened the pastor and believers. They accused Kamalesh of proselytization, desecrating idols and defaming and blaspheming their gods and goddesses. The perpetrators commanded the pastor and the believers to chant hymns praising Hindu gods and goddesses - the believers refused to oblige. The radicals tormented the congregation for 45 minutes and then left; but before leaving they threatened the women that they will not hesitate to violate them if they continue to follow Jesus Christ.

Pray: for God to build up and empower His Church in India as they face increasing anti-Christian violence. (Is.62:10)

More: http://www.persecution.org/2012/07/30/radicals-threaten-to-rape-christian-women-in-indian-village/

At 2:30 am on 15th February, 60 police officers forced entry into Christian homes in a village in Ganjam district. Pastor Jahaya Mandal heard the commotion and investigated, then police started to interrogate him about his ministry. Church deacon Korneil Roita was called for and subsequently tied to a tree and beaten severely. Other Christians were also tied to trees and beaten. When one of them shouted, ‘O God, O Jesus, Alleluia, Alleluia,’ the police increased the brutality, causing severe injuries. Four hours later police led six (including the pastor and deacon) into the jungle with hands tied and feet bare walking over thorny and rocky ground causing their feet to bleed. They were then taken 12 kilometres from their village and left in a very bad state. Christians in India are vulnerable to violent attacks by Hindu extremists. While police often fail to intervene they are rarely the perpetrators of violence against Christians. Please pray that the police and local officials will do more to uphold religious liberties in India.

Pray: God's peace, comfort and protection over those Christians living in pain and fear of further violence. Ps.12:5-6)

More: http://persecution.in/content/christian-villagers-beaten-orissa

Six recently baptised Christians were arrested in northern Orissa State after Hindu activists accused them of converting to Christianity 'illegally'. The six ethnic minority Christians, who had recently joined Good Shepherd Ministries in Mayurbhanj district, appeared in court but were released on bail, according to Release partner All India Christian Council (AICC). Their pastor, Mannuel Mahapatra, was also arrested and accused of forcible conversion. Hindu extremists frequently level accusations of forcible conversion at pastors – but allegations against those who are converted are less common. The state of Orissa has implemented anti-conversion legislation and its Freedom of Religion Act bans religious conversions without the prior permission of local police and a district magistrate. In Karnataka state, nine members of the New India Church of God in Mysore were arrested last Sunday after Hindu extremists stormed the church. Attacks on individual Christians in Karnataka also continue. Four Christians were beaten and charged with 'outraging religious feelings' after distributing pamphlets.

Pray: for the Church in Orissa and the new believers that God will empower them and protect them from the hand of the enemy. (Pr.2:8)

More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/posts/india-orissa-group-hauled-into-court-for-turning-to-christ-830.php

Towns and roads are underwater throughout most of the state of Assam, where the Brahmaputra river runs. Churches and Christian charities have joined the massive relief effort to an area which recently experienced a devastating flood that claimed over 125 lives and left nearly three million people homeless when torrential monsoon rains inundated thousands of villages in 23 of the 27 districts of Assam. At least 18 churches and several schools have been washed away or damaged. Reaching targeted areas is a major problem, as roads have been damaged and even washed away. 58 Gospel for Asia-supported churches have been affected. Water level is still rising. A local newspaper reported that 900,000 people are affected with at least 80,000 losing their homes. Livestock kept for food have been washed away. Food and drinking water are in short supply and many have lost their personal belongings. One pastor said the Christians are ‘tired, wet and weak’. See:

Pray: for co-ordinated work through the many agencies to swiftly bring relief to the victims. (2Sa.22:17,18)

More: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/nc/other/news-items/c/sliders/article/church-charities-rush-aid-to-flood-damaged-assam-state-in-india-10954//abp/141.html