AGRA, UP: A Mizo missionary working in Agra was beaten in broad daylight and warned to stop preaching and spreading Christianity in and around the city.

Rev. C. Lalrammuana of United Pentecostal(UPC) Church from his Tuikhuahtlang office told newsmen that Evangelist C. Lalnunmawia, a missionary with the United Pentecostal Church, North East India and a native of Mizoram was attacked by a group of Hindu fundamentalists at his residence in Agra at around 9:30am on 4th June.

"If you don't stop your missionary work immediately, along with Bajrang Dal activists, we will come again and leave no stone unturned to make you leave this place", the intruders told the missionary.

The miscreants also told the missionary that he was beaten because they do not like him converting Hindus to Christianity.

"We are here to preach the good news to those who are willing to listen and who are inviting us to be heard. We do not force anyone to convert. It is our duty to preach and tell them the gospel. If the people want to follow us, we can't force them to leave us. And we never engage in forced conversion" the missionary was quoted as saying.

Many Christians feel that the change of government will augur in a better atmosphere for religious groups to practice their faith openly without any repulsive forces. One thing that has not and will not change with the government is the heat of opposition to these persecutions.



Peter Chatlai
Ecumenical Press