On 3 July, an angry mob accused Pastor John C.V Samuel from Assembly of God's Church (AGC) of forceful conversion, beat him up and his wife in Manpuri, Uttar Pradesh.

The incident took place when Pastor Samuel, his wife and some believers went to attend the burial service of Anil Saxena, who attended Pastor Samuel's church for the past two years. Saxena committed suicide on Saturday night after he had an argument with his father, reported our correspondent.

The angry mob suddenly rushed on the pastor and his wife, mercilessly beat them up and falsely accused them of forceful conversion and of being the cause of Saxena's death.

Saxena’s wife intervened and told the mob that they went to the church by their own free will and nobody has forced them.

The pastor's wife called the police by phone. The police arrived at the scene and rescued the couple from the angry mob and took them to the Pushpanjali Hospital, Agra where they were admitted.

Area Christian leaders submitted a police complaint but no actions have been taken at press time.

Kindly pray for Pastor Samuel and his family and for peace in the area.

An Appeal to write to Authorities

As concerned people, kindly write to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh appealing to them to safe guard the rights of the minority communities and to give protection to churches against attacks and to take immediate action against the perpetrators of violence.
courtesy: EFI News