11/06/2019 India (International Christian Concern) – Last Friday, November 1, five Christians from India’s Odisha state were beaten mercilessly with bamboo rods after they refused to recant their Christian faith. All five victims were recent converts to Christianity from Tekaguda-B, located in the Kalimela block of the Malkangiri district.

According to local reports, the five Christians were taken from their homes by a mob of angry Hindu villagers at around 4:00 a.m. on November 1. The Christians were then told that they must “return” to Hinduism and recant their Christian faith. According to locals, the Christians were even threatened with death if they refused.

Despite these threats, the five Christians refused to deny their new found faith. In response, the new believers were severely beaten by members of the mob wielding bamboo rods.

“We were beaten very badly with sticks by the villagers because we accepted Christ,” one of the victims told International Christian Concern (ICC). “Earlier we were also threatened and persecuted in 2017, but the issue was resolved peacefully.”

The beaten Christians were rushed to the hospital in Kalimela where they remain at present. Other local Christians reported the attack to police at the Kalimela Police Station, where a First Information Report was filed. According to local Christians, the police have promised to investigate the matter and punish those involved in the attack.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].