Bilagi - Bagalkot (Karnataka)L22-4-11) - A gang of suspected Hindu fundamentalists attacked a group of Christians on 22-4-11, at Muttaldinni Village in Bilagi taluk of Bagalkot District in Karnataka. We understand that the incident took place when the devotees led by the physically handicapped pastor, Pastor Gurappa Powar and Pastor Ashok Motilal Powar, were offering Good Friday prayers in the village. A gang of about 50 radicals, led by their ring leader Chandru, wielding clubs in their hands barged into the hall in which the prayer service was being held. They ordered all the people attending the prayer service to convert themselves to Hinduism. This led to a verbal clash between the radical group and the Christians. Then, it is learnt that the gang attempted to assault pastors Ashok and Gurappa when they refused to re-convert and apply kumkum on their foreheads.  read more »