Wed, 11/11/2009 - 5:34pm Believers beaten up in Chattisgarh

Chattisgarh : During a prayer session conducted in Mr. Telchands residence a believer who lives in Beedi colony at Yadunandan Nagar, Chattisgarh, 8 km away from the Bilaspur railway station, a mob of 150 Hindu fundamentalists from various extremist groups like the Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and Dharam Sena barged into the house and attacked Christian believers on 8th November 2009, at around 8:30 pm. They dragged Kesboram Bhagel (33) a believer out of the house, brutally attacked and humiliated him by kicking him repeatedly with their shoes and sandals.

On 8 November 2009 believer Kesboram Bhagel and his sister-in-law Sangeetha Daniel (24) went to visit Mr. Telchands and his family. Telchands had personally invited Kesboram to come and pray for his son, who was seriously ill. During the prayer session about 150 Hindu fundamentalists barged into the house and started shouting slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” and abusing the believers. As a result of the beatings Kesboram received, he has suffered serious internal injuries, according to medical reports.

Local people staying in Beedi colony witnessed the incident and informed the nearby police station. However the police were helpless for hours, as the Hindu fanatics stood guard. At 10:10 pm they were able to rescue the believers from the mob and take them to the Civil Lines Police Station. A complaint was filed against the believers. The believers were released at 3:30 am that same night.

Kesboram Bhagel is a believer of the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC) and works in the High Court as a clerk. Kesboram is married to Tabitha Bhagel (31) and has three children, a daughter (12) and two sons (10 and 7).

Please pray for the full recovery of Kesboram and for the safety of his family.