A video grab of the mob attack
In the latest incident, a house church service in Dantan, West Midnapore, was attacked on Sunday by a mob of 40-45 chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. I reached the spot around 9 am and began the service. At 9.30 am, we noticed a crowd outside the house, calling Nayak out. BCP Dantan Zone Committee has announced a ‘Peace and Prayer Rally’ on Sept 21, starting at God’s Church and proceeding towards Dantan Police Station to spread a message of peace and harmony.
Recounting the ordeal to TOI, she said, “We hold morning prayers every Sunday at Ram Nayak’s house. An official from Dantan Police Station said no formal complaint has been registered yet. Kolkata: Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), a forum representing Christian communities in Bengal and parts of east and northeast India, has expressed deep anguish over repeated attacks on the community in the state. A female devotee was abducted and later rescued by police. Ashalata Murmu, who was leading the Sunday morning service, remains traumatised. Hearing an argument, we stepped outside. Some of them ordered us to stop services immediately, citing govt orders. As female worshippers attempted to resist the aggression, they, too, were assaulted. Among them, Chumki Singh was allegedly dragged by her hair, abducted, and held captive by the miscreants for at least two hours. Officers from Dantan Police Station, alerted by locals, rescued Singh.