Religion watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) reports eight Christian families were seriously injured in an attack in Belchori in the northern region of Jharkhand by Hindu radicals. The radicals demanded families of the Friends Missionary Prayer Band recanted their faith on July 14. When they refused, five Christian worshippers were attacked by a mob of more than 100 people.

ICC reports the mob bludgeoned the Christians because they were angry they were living in the area.

Pastor Massih, who witnessed the attack but asked for his name to be changed to protect his identity, said “the Hindu radicals kicked Christians like footballs, and there were none to rescue the Christians from the hands of Hindu radicals”.

ICC also reports police refused to file a report on their behalf and instead insisted officers would attend the area to resolve the matter themselves.

Police did not reprimand the villagers the next day.

Officers then attempted to justify the attacks, adding they happened due to the number of people converting to Christianity in the community.

Pastor Masih said the police then forced the Christians to compromise with the villagers by promising to less conversions to Christianity in the village and its neighbouring areas.

Christians in Jharkhand have faced increasing crackdowns from those wanting to oust the religion since the re-election of the Hindu-Nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party.

Pastor Masih said after the incident “just in our block, ‘Jaganathpur’ in west Singbum district there were 16 anti-Christian incidents.

“Seven of four fellowships that I lead were attacked in the last one year.

“Things are increasingly becoming hostile for Christians in west Singbum district, and all over Jharkhand ever since Freedom of Religion Act came into being in Jharkhand.”

India is one of a handful of countries that has seen a rise in the persecution of Christians.