Morning Star News photo
NEW DELHI, India — The homes of three Christian families in Odisha state, India, were destroyed Easter Sunday by tribal villagers who worship nature.
The families — the only Christians in that community — have been threatened with death if they return to Ejariguda village, Morning Star News reported.
One of the three families — Podia Madkami and his wife Budri — were attacked by a mob of about 100. Ten years ago tribal villagers kidnapped the Madkamis’ three daughters, who still are captive.
Six were arrested in the Easter Sunday attack and released on bail the same day.
Elsewhere in India, Christians in Kistaram village in Chhattisgarh state accused police sub-inspector Bhavesh Shende of disrupting a worship service and, on Feb. 3, burning the church structure. Sources say Shende told Christians that those daring to gather for worship would be charged with being communist “Naxalite” rebels, Morning Star stated.
The Christians broke ground on another structure April 30.
Since Prime Minister Narenda Modi came to power in 2014, Hindu extremists have been emboldened in attacking Christians.
India is No. 10 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
This article first appeared on thealabamabaptist.org