Three Christian families in Chhattisgarh remain displaced after brutal attack from radical Hindus

Three Christian families in Chhattisgarh remain displaced after radical Hindu nationalists attacked them in the middle of the night leaving the Christians severely injured and homeless.

The incident took place on May 20 in Sukma district’s Devkhumpli village, where the Christian families were brutally attacked with sticks and sharp stones by a mob of around 30 radicals. The radicals threatened to kill the Christians if they refused to recant their faith.

“It happened around 11:00 in the night,” Hadme Markam told International Christian Concern (ICC). “I woke up from my sleep when I heard a big bang on my door. I was very scared because my husband was away for work that night.”

“Before I realized what was happening, a mob broke down the door, rushed into the house, and started to beat me. All my fear was for my child. I held her close to my chest and pushed through the mob,” Hadme told ICC.

Hadme managed to escape the mob in the dark, but her house was ransacked and destroyed by the radicals.

“I fled for my life along with my four-year-old daughter. I was soaked in blood, walking through the thick forest. I was carrying my four-year-old daughter and was hoping we would reach the next village. I did not know if I would make it to my husband,” Hadme explained.

The extremists have been harassing Hadme and her husband Channaram Markam from a year ago when the two converted to Christianity.

“In December, the Hindu radicals threatened to kill me if I didn’t give up my new faith,” Channaram told ICC. “However, I told them boldly that I am not doing any harm to anybody or doing anything bad. I have received peace and joy in my heart, and I learn good things every week when I go to church. I am not going to deny Jesus, no matter what, even if it means death.”

Just a week before the attack, the radicals had forbidden the Christian families from using the community well, which forced the families to travel to a neighbouring village that was a mile away to get water.

On May 21, the Christians reported the event to the local police and registered a FIR. The extremists were charged under IPC Sections 147, 452, 323, 427 and 506.

The police advised the Christian families to not to return to Devkhumpli as they could be attacked again.

Now the three Christian families remain displaced and a few are being treated in the hospitals for their injuries.