Written by: Global Council of Indian Christians

Bangarpet –Kolar Dt. (Karnataka): Pastor Timothy (42), came in contact with an elderly couple, Daniel Venkatappa (74), and his wife Shantamma (67), both believers, residing in Ombathuguligrama, in Bangarapete Taluk of Kolar Dt., about a year ago and came to live there. He took up a rented house and began his ministry. Now he has a congregation of about 30 believers who meet very regularly. He is also ably assisted by another pastor, Pastor Srinivas Devaputra (40), in his ministry in the village. Pastor Timothy originally hails from Rajmundry in Andhra Pradesh.

Pastor Timothy planned to organize a three day prayer service program in the village and so he fixed the dates, 11,12, and 13th of April, 2011 for the program and arranged two guest speakers from Bangalore, Pastor Yesaiah and Pastor Daniel. He also gave necessary publicity for the program by distributing handbills throughout the village.

As scheduled, the Prayer Service Program began on 11th evening with an inaugural service which lasted till 9 p.m. As the service was getting over, the Police Inspector from the Bangarapete Police Station came to the village in a jeep with a few constables accompanied by the local Bajrang Dal activists and arrested Pastor Timothy, Daniel Venkatappa and the two Guest speakers, and then took them in their jeep to the Police Station for further inquiry. The Inspector told them that the Bajrang Dal activists had complained about their conversion activities and that they must stop it forthwith, failing which they would be produced before the Magistrate and sent to the jail. The inquiry went on till the early hours of the day and the Inspector told them that since it was their first offence he would let them go provided they paid the fine and gave an undertaking in writing that they would close down their prayer house, and the pastor would leave the village.

It was only after Pastor Timothy agreed for both the conditions and gave in writing that he would not continue with his prayer services in the village any more that they were released on the assurance that they would come back to the police station again at 10 a.m. and pay the fine of Rs.4000=00, which he did accordingly. The GCIC is in touch with the pastor as well as the police. Please pray for them

Source: http://persecution.in/content/bajrang-dal-activists-stop-prayer-program-police-fine-pastor-karnataka

Reprinted with permission from Global Council of Indian Christians