Violence is once again escalating in the Indian state of Assam, this time between Karbi and Dimasa tribal groups. It is an area in which Gospel for Asia native missionaries have established more than 700 churches, and the local Christians have suffered from the attacks.
Just yesterday, two buses were stopped by suspected Dimasa militants, and the Karbi passengers—including eight women—were either hacked to death or burned inside the buses. The insurgents went on to a nearby Karbi village and burned down over 100 houses. The residents escaped with their lives, but lost everything.
In addition, a Gospel for Asia pastor has been arrested and is now waiting to stand trial. As police were investigating arson that resulted from tribal hostilities, they saw Pastor Santosh on his bicycle and suspected him of involvement. GFA leaders are petitioning authorities for his release.
Over the years, the state of Assam has been known for bitter fighting between numerous ethnic insurgent groups, resulting in massacres of entire villages, kidnapping and brutality. The region is filled with suffering people who have lost loved ones, homes and all sense of security. At least 42 refugee camps, with more than 30,000 homeless men, women and children, are located in the area.
And Christians are not exempt from the violence. Three church members have been killed in the latest conflicts and 25 families have lost their homes.
“Many times in a day we hear the news of villages being burned, people fleeing and dead bodies being found,” says a GFA worker. “It feels like a war.”
Despite the tense and sometimes fearful context in which they minister, Gospel for Asia missionaries are continuing the work God has called them to do. In addition to more than 700 churches, GFA trains future missionaries at a three-year Bible college in Assam and has established numerous Bridge of Hope centers there for underprivileged children.
And their work is having an impact on the violence—many of the new Christians are former members of violent insurgent groups.
GFA President K.P. Yohannan believes the Church at large has both a responsibility and an opportunity in the face of this violence.
“We as the Body of Christ can stand in the gap,” he commented, “and pray and believe for the peace of God to come to the land of Assam.”