BHOPAL, 23 January 2004 — The battered tribal-dominated Christian community in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, living in a state of shock and fear following violent incidents in the past week, has fled to jungles fearing for their lives. They are carrying weapons such as bows and arrows and swords with them for self-defense to ward off possible attacks from Hindu zealots. Father Mahipal Bhuria told Arab News from Jhabua on phone that an atmosphere of extreme fear prevails in Jhabua as saffron forces led by Hindu Jagran Manch, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Durga Vahini are running amok to browbeat the Christians into submission. These forces have threatened to burn down Catholic churches in villages such as Panchkui, Mohankut and Domri near Jhabua city.
On Saturday police arrested 13 persons linked to Amkhut Catholic Church and School, including the head priest, in connection with the armed attack on a religious Hindu group on Friday evening, which resulted in the death of one person and injuries to six others. The inmates of the church attacked when provocative slogans were raised by Hindu zealots.
