CHHATTISGARH, INDIA (ANS) -- A Christian family was attacked by Hindu radicals during its family devotional time.

The incident occurred in Chhattisgarh, India, on Nov. 10 at about 9 p.m.

According to a report on www.persecution.in,  the victims were Pritam Arse, 53, his wife Priyadarshini, 45, his son Ravi Arse, 24, another son Prakash 22, who is blind, and daughter Mamta, 18.

The report said that while the family was praying, they heard the sound of loud firecrackers in their yard. When they went to investigate, they were confronted by more than 20 young men, some of whom were obviously drunk.

The young men cursed the family, the web site reported, for praying instead of celebrating a Hindu festival. Then the young men reportedly slapped Ravi on his face and pushed him down on the ground outside the house. They also, the report continued, threatened to murder the family and kidnap Mamta.

The incident continued until about 11 p.m.

The next morning, one of the family’s neighbors who was also one of the attackers, said the group had been instructed by a radical Hindu group to attack the family. The young neighbor even told the family that the alleged instigators of the attack had provided alcohol for the group.

According to www.persecution.in, when the family attempted to file a police report about the incident, police refused to accept the complaint. 

The web site also noted that the family’s pastor was attacked earlier this year on July 1.

James Varghese is a reporter for the “V” TV news in Gokak, Karnataka state, India, and is freelance journalist working for ANS.