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Central Indian church vandalized

Christian leaders point to rising religious tensions in Chhattisgarh state
Central Indian church vandalized
Published: April 20, 2016 04:52 AM GMT
Updated: April 20, 2016 04:52 AM GMT

Two men attacked and set on fire a Bible and furniture inside a Christian church in Central India on April 17. 

While police said the attackers were "unidentified," village leaders said there was ample evidence to indicate the vandalism was committed by members of a hard-line Hindu group. 

Christian leaders say the incident was the latest in a series of attacks on Christians in the area. 

Father Sebastian Poomattam, vicar-general and spokesman of Raipur Archdiocese told ucanews.com that state police have a "general tendency" to side with right-wing Hindus in any conflict with Christians, who are a minority in the state.

"There were sporadic incidents of attack against Christians in the state after the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party came to power [in the state] in December 2003. However, after the BJP took power in New Delhi, the situation changed from bad to worse," Father Poomattom said.

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