The Bridge of Hope workers, Kumar and Vayu, were leaving a market like this one when they were attacked by anti-Christian extremists. |
Gospel for Asia missionaries and support personnel have recently been targeted by anti-Christian extremists in Manipur, India. As a result of political and religious tension, all GFA workers in the state are exercising extra caution as they minister.
Recently, anti-Christian extremists accosted and physically abused Kumar Ojayit and Vayu Dulal, two Bridge of Hope staff members who serve at a center in Manipur. Kumar and Vayu were leaving a local market, where they had purchased food for the children, when a group of radicals approached them.
Surrounded by the radicals, Kumar and Vayu were questioned, and then one of the men repeatedly slapped Kumar. This quickly degenerated into more serious abuse against the workers. Kumar and Vayu were eventually released, but the extremists continued threatening them as they walked away.
“You Christians are trying to convert our people to Christianity,” one of the men yelled. “If you come back here again, you are dead.”
Kumar’s injuries were more serious, and he was in a great deal of pain for two days. Vayu’s physical injuries were minor.
In another incident, GFA missionaries were traveling from one village to another when they witnessed a murder. The missionaries were forced to stop their car when a group of soldiers detained the vehicle in front of them.
“You Christians are trying to convert our people to Christianity,” one of the men yelled. “If you come back here again, you are dead.”As the missionaries looked on, the soldiers made everyone in the front vehicle get out. The women and children immediately fled into the forest, and the soldiers searched the two men. One of the soldiers found a gun and a knife on the men. Because it is illegal in India for civilians to carry weapons, they suspected that the men were part of a militant rebel group that was active in the area.
As the missionaries continued to watch the scene unfold before them, the soldier began beating the men with the gun he had found and kicking them. Then he pretended to let them go. As the two men walked away, the soldier fired several shots into their backs, killing them instantly.
Terrified by what they just witnessed, the missionaries were afraid that they, too, would be killed. However, the soldiers allowed them to leave. The GFA workers were extremely thankful that the alleged militants did not shoot at the soldiers when they were detained, because they could have been killed in the crossfire.
There have been many other violent incidents that have occurred throughout Manipur in the last year, including shootings and bombings. Many parents have stopped sending their children to the Bridge of Hope centers in the state because they fear it is not safe for them to travel.
The GFA missionaries and Bridge of Hope staffers request prayer that peace will come to their state. They also ask for prayer that those who are against Christianity will come to know Christ’s saving love.
