Maoist Rebels Terrorize Christians, Hindus in India

Maoist rebels opposed to the conversion of animist tribal people are attacking Christians and Hindus in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh, according to a report by Ecumenical News International. Most recently, on Wednesay, the rebels—known in India as Naxalites—killed a police officer in a neighboring state.

"Even the police are afraid of acting on our complaints. That makes us all the more worried," said Roman Catholic Bishop Simon Stock Palathara.

The bishop suggested that attacks on places of worship were an attempt by Naxalites fighting for land redistribution to attract support from tribal people.

Last month, the rebels torched a Roman Catholic Church that was located in tribal area. Sources say they also damaged several Hindu temples.

Methodist pastor Chandramani Lal, who has been working in the Bastar region, where the rebels have a strong base, said that in November 20 Pentecostal families were forced to flee their villages because of threats from Naxalites.

According to reports, the rebels have distributed handbills warning religious leaders not to convert the "animist tribal people" to any religion, and have assaulted Hindu monks, expelling them from some villages.