Mahe (AsiaNews/Cbci) – Rev. T. C. Joseph and his wife Ammini, of New India Bible Church, Mannanthavady, in the western state of Kerala, were cruelly attacked by a group of more than ten Hindu extremists at their church. Both have been hospitalised in serious conditions.
The assault took place during the early hours on Sunday the 14th October. The extremists, wearing masks, first cut off power to the church building and parsonage breaking open into the pastor‘s residence. In the melee which followed, Joseph was repeatedly beaten with steel rods and stamped upon by boot wearing assailants. When wife, Ammini ran to her husband‘s rescue, she was assaulted on the head leaving her with a multiple bleeding wounds from scalp injuries.
According to initial enquiries, the group are fanatics who aim to wipe out the Christian presence in the State, which is generally calm and has a good record of inter religious harmony. A police case has been registered and the blood bathed parsonage has been sealed for further investigation. The local Superintendent of Police has visited the victims in the hospital and assured them of assistance and protection.