Bible College Students Attacked in Orissa

Violence against Christians is intense in Orissa. This photo was taken after a GFA Bible College was attacked in 2007.

Two Gospel for Asia Bible college students were attacked April 5 by anti-Christian extremists in Orissa, India.

The two students, Dileshi Sahu and Reban Tamag, were handing out Gospel tracts and Bibles when a group of extremists physically attacked them and accused the two men of forcing people to convert to Christianity. The missionary trainees told their attackers that they were not forcing anyone to take the tracts, but were only sharing the joy that they had experienced.

The religious radicals refused to listen. They stripped off the men's clothing, beat them and told them to run away. Reban was able to break away from his attackers, but Dileshi was severely injured and could not escape. So his attackers dragged him away and turned him over to the police, accusing him of being a disruption.

Meanwhile, Reban was able to inform his leaders about the attack and Dileshi's arrest. A GFA district pastor in Orissa went to the police station and retrieved Dileshi. The police asked the two students to write a statement saying that no one had harmed them, and they were subsequently released.

Reban and Dileshi request prayer that they will be able to reach many with the Gospel message in this area during the next year. The district where the men were attacked is one of the most unreached areas in all of Orissa. It is also home to several anti-Christian extremist groups.

Prayer is also requested for the men's physical healing. Dileshi's ear was badly injured in the attack, and it has not yet healed.

Orissa has one of the worst reputations for violence against Christians of India, yet many are coming to Christ. Read about Orissa here.

The Christmas season brought organized attacks against Christians in Orissa. Read about the situation here.