A mob of 2000 people attacked Christians in a village in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on June 21.
The assault, which began around 9 AM, left over 30 people injured, with at least 20 sustaining severe injuries.
The shocking incident of violence occurred in the morning in Kotamateru village, under the Malkangiri police station of Malkangiri district, as an estimated 1500-2000 individuals from nearby villages attacked the Christian community.
Due to the remote location of Kotamateru, news of the attack was delayed. However, one individual managed to contact a district pastor, who immediately informed the Malkangiri police station.
The police responded promptly, rescuing the critically injured and admitting them to the Malkangiri District Hospital.
Less severely injured persons are currently seeking shelter in a local church building, said Pallab Lima, a Protestant bishop.
“The Christian community in Kotamateru is in urgent need of assistance,” he added. “Immediate relief efforts, including provisions for food and shelter, are crucial for those displaced and seeking refuge.”
Furthermore, ongoing medical assistance is required for all the injured, particularly those hospitalized, to ensure their full recovery.
Local church leaders urged the media to encourage authorities and aid organizations to swiftly respond and provide comprehensive support to the victims of this violent incident.
Previous reports suggest an increase in targeted attacks and persecution in different parts of Odisha, jeopardizing the safety of Christian communities in the region.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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