Tribal Christians In Chhattisgarh Flee Villages, Seek Shelter In Churches Amid Increase In Attacks
Ahead of Christmas, the biggest festival for Christians worldwide, the community in Chhattisgarh is witnessing increased attacks targeting their houses.
Since last week hundreds of tribal Christians have reportedly fled from their villages in the Narayanpur district.
Tribal Christians flee villages
According to the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, over a hundred people, including women, have taken shelter in a stadium in Narayanpur while many others have been accommodated at other places, including churches.
The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum on Wednesday met state governor Anusuiya Uikey and submitted a memorandum seeking an end to the continued atrocities against the community.
Tribal Christians have been protesting for days at the district collector's office in Narayanpur against alleged atrocities faced by them.
Protestors from 14 villages of the tribal-dominated district have claimed that they were assaulted and evicted from their homes for converting to Christianity.
Christians protest demanding safety
"At least 60 Christian families were assaulted by miscreants in the last two months. Around 200 Christian families have been evicted from their houses in 12 to 14 villages and the places of worship were vandalised," Sukhman Potai, the president of Narayanpur Christian society, claimed on Monday.
"We have been sitting in the open in front of the collectorate amid winter chill since Sunday evening, but no one paid attention to our grievances. We will not end the demonstration till FIRs are lodged for the incidents of atrocities," Potai said.
Religious conversion in Chhattisgarh
Tribals' conversion to Christianity has long been a sticking point in Chhattisgarh.
Many pastors and tribals who converted to Christianity have come under attack by right-wing groups in recent times.
They accuse evangelists of forced religious conversions and claim that many are being lured with false promises.
According to the 2011 census figures, Christians comprise less than 2 per cent of Chhattisgarh's population.?But right-wing groups claim the actual number is much higher.
Chhattisgarh is one of the many states that has implemented anti-conversion laws.
In November, some 15 tribal Christians were injured after being attacked by armed men, allegedly over religious conversion.
Chhattisgarh saw second-highest attack on Christians
According to a report by United Christians Forum, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, and United Against Hate in 2021, Chhattisgarh saw the second-highest number of documented attacks on Christians in India.
According to the report, 305 cases of attacks were reported across India till September 2021.?
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of 66 cases, followed by Chhattisgarh with 47 cases and Karnataka with 32 cases.
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