Pastor Mallappa Hanumanthappa Andrew of Bellakatte Village in Chitrdurga District in Karnataka, was attacked by 6 Hindu radicals on October 20th at 10.30 in the morning in broad public view, while he was walking on the road along with his brother. When his brother tried to intervene, he too was beaten up. The culprits subsequently also burnt down his House Church. On the pastor’s complaint, the Police from the Barmasagara Police Station have arrested 4 of the following perpetrators of the crime, i.e. Manjunath, Parashuram, Ramanna and Devaraj. But, as we learn, the arrested culprits have already been released on the influence exerted upon the police by the local activists.

Pastor Andrew, who has been doing God’s ministry in Bellakatte village during the last 15 years against opposition from some of the villagers, had, as such, no direct attack so far. He has been worshipping and conducting his prayer services in his House Church “Samadhana Prayer House”, during the last one year. We understand that about 25 believers regularly attend the prayer services. Pastor Andrew is married to Smt. Rudramma and they have two children, 4 year old Merina and 8 month old Merlina.