Source:  www.assistnews.net

Date:  2008-02-25

By James Varghese
Special to ASSIST News Service

ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- According to news released by the All India Christian Council on their website www.christiancouncil.in, a pastor was beaten up by Hindu activists in Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, for his alleged conversion activities.

Pastor P. Vijay, a resident of Pedda Reddy village in Nizamabad district, had been serving in the area for the last eight years. The attack took place on February 17, 2008 at around 9:30 am, when he was traveling to church. As he was traveling along the street, Bestha Gangaram, a local ration shop dealer, came on a bike and hit him. Pastor Vijay fell down under the impact of the blow.

In a short time he recovered and got up from the ground and then wanted to know from Gangaram the reasons for hitting him. Gangaram immediately moved forward and held him by his collar. By this time his friends also joined him and together they beat him up severely. They threatened to kill him if he continued to "convert" people. Later, the pastor was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Later, Pastor Vijay went to the local police station to file a complaint and Bestha Gangaram was called to the police station and then sent away with a warning. The police allegedly refused to file any report against the attackers.

The All India Christian Council condemned the attack and has sought security for pastors and Christian properties in the area.