By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NEW DELHI (Worthy News) - Some 13 Christian families in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh spent Christmas outside their homes after being beaten and expelled from a village for refusing to deny their faith in Christ, several sources said.
The families totaling 66 individuals were told to leave the town of Mungwal in rural Chhattisgarh after being summoned by the village council, well-informed sources said.
“The villagers opposing these families tried to pressure them to deny their faith in Jesus Christ, mandating that they return to their former tribal religion,” confirmed advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
“When the believers refused to recant their faith, the other villagers angrily beat them. Entire families were then expelled from the village, including children and the elderly.”
The ousted Christians, who were reportedly forced to leave all their belongings behind, have since gone to live with relatives in other villages, Christians said.
Though the incident was reported to local police, no action was taken yet, VOMC explained.
VOMC, which closely monitors the situation, told Worthy News that the crisis in Mungwal is part of a series of recent incidents impacting 150 families in various tribal villages throughout Chhattisgarh.
It said it had urged its supporters to pray for the reportedly persecuted Christians. India, a mainly Hindu nation, has seen an uptick in attacks against devoted minority Christians.