by Nirmala Carvalho

Chamu Hasda Purty was serving in Sandih village. He was well respected and valued by the community. His religious functions attended by the entire population, without distinction of creed or caste. The police are on the trail of the killers. Christian activist: "The Pastor’s murder offends religious freedom in India."

Ranchi (AsiaNews) - A Pentecostal Church pastor in a village in central India has been shot dead by unidentified thugs. The murder took place in the late evening of October 13, but the local police superintendent, Anis Gupta, released the news only today. He also added that the police have identified the killers and are on their trail.

Chamu Hasda Purty was the pastor in Sandih, district Khunti (State of Jharkhand). Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), told AsiaNews: "We mourn the murder of Pastor Chamu Hasda Purty. The situation of the tiny Christian community is very difficult. These fanatics are encouraged by the criminal justice system that favors them and turns a blind eye on attacks against minorities. May God grant him eternal peace and rest and give comfort to his family. The GCIC condemns the murder of innocent Christian pastor, which also offends religious freedom in secular India. "

Some residents of the village (anonymous for security reasons) told AsiaNews that the pastor Purty regularly recited prayers. His religious services were attended by a large part of society, without distinction of creed or caste. His murder could be linked to personal grudges. The hypothesis of "Christian persecution" seems unlikely, since the man was very respected in the community

• INDIA
• pentecostal
• pastor
• shooting
• religious
• freedom