Mob Assaults Pastor in Karnataka

From our correspondent

 

On June 8, 2007, a mob beat Pastor Laxmi Narayana, tried to set him on fire,and then paraded him naked through Hesaregetta, Karnataka. Police arrived and rescued the man.

 

Pastor Laxmi Narayana, 35, has been working in Hesargetta for at least twelve years. He has planted several churches, is married and has two children. On the evening of June 8th, approximately 50 people threatened him. The mob told him to leave the city. The city is only 30km from Bangalore.

 

When the group returned in a short time, about 250 people were in the mob.Reports said it quickly increased to more than 1,000 people. The people cornered the Pastor in a room and began to beat him. Others in the mob damaged equipment and burned dozens of Bibles.

 

Someone poured kerosene on him and threw a burning Bible at him. Aicc leaders who interviewed Pastor Laxmi in the hospital reported that he testified to God's protection and said, "I still do not know why I did not catch on fire even though I was drenched with Kerosene."

 

Next, the unruly crowd undressed the pastor and tied a board on his chest which read, "I am the one who converts people." They paraded him through the city for more than an hour.

 

Finally, one of his relatives heard about the incident and called the police. The police reached the spot after the whole drama was over and rescued him.

 

The pastor was admitted in the Baptist Hospital in the city with bruises and swelling. When aicc leaders talked to him on June 9th in the hospital, he was energetic and said, "Nothing can stop me. I have a long way to go and I will continue to do this noble work of ministry."