Kolkata: Bangiya Christiya Parisheba (BCP), a church body in Kolkata, alleged that two separate incidents took place in Barrackpore and Khejuri, where Christian individuals were attacked during house church activities.Sanjit Sardar from Barrackpore’s Mohanpur was attacked around 2 pm during a house prayer when an armed mob of 50-60 individuals raided his residential house church at Billa Depot.Sardar said, “Ahead of the afternoon prayer service, while we were preparing, an intoxicated, armed mob suddenly attacked the homeowner, Puja Satyaki. The attackers were carrying iron rods and blunt weapons. They went on a rampage inside the house, tearing up Bibles, destroying hymn books, and ransacking other items. Female worshippers, including Satyaki, Arpita Sardar, and Jhuma Jana, were beaten up and verbally abused. They were dragged out and forcibly turned over to Mohanpur Police Station.” The victims alleged that Bajrang Dal supporters led the attack and subsequently surrounded the police station as well.Sanjit added, “The three women who were attacked lodged a police complaint, but an FIR number has not been provided yet. The administration is not cooperating with us and is instead helping the attackers.”However, cops have denied the allegations. In the second incident, the BCP alleged that a mob of over 50 individuals, claiming affiliation with the Bajrang Dal, surrounded Dekhali Church and Mission in Dekhali Jalpai under Khejuri Police Station around 12 pm on Sunday during a prayer service led by Pastor Chintamoni Midde.Bhagyadhar Jana, one of the victims, said, “The miscreants forcibly entered the church premises, and the pastor was physically assaulted with blows and kicks. The attackers threatened us, demanded an immediate halt to all church activities, and warned believers to vacate the locality.” Police from the Khejuri Police Station arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control. A formal complaint was submitted; however, police have not confirmed whether an official FIR was registered. Herod Mullick, BCP’s founding state secretary, said, “Administrative silence provides implicit encouragement for violent attacks against religious minorities.”
