India (MNN) — 44 people are dead and several wounded in Eastern India since ethnic violence and rioting started last Friday, July 20, according to The Times of India.
The Muslim community discovered two students leaders dead in the Kokrajhar district of Assam on Thursday, July 19.
Muslims blamed the indigenous Boro tribespeople and lashed out, killing members of the tribe.
Since then, the ethnic violence has spread to 60 different villages in the Kokrahjar district. Thousands of homes have been burned down by rioters.
The army has been called in by the state government. So far, 100 rioters have been arrested. 55,000 Indians have fled their homes to find refuge in the 49 Government and NGO relief camps.
Because of the seriousness of the situation, Mission India has put their Children’s Bible Clubs and literacy classes on hold. A new Adult Literacy partner of Mission India, Kanji, is also prevented from going to a teacher training program in a neighboring city.
Mission India says the violence continues to get worse every day. Curfew is now being enforced in Kokrahjar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Chirang, Baksha, and Odalguri districts while the violence continues.
Mission India’s Children’s Bible Clubs seek to create a fun atmosphere for kids with games and activities along with teaching them about the hope of the Gospel.
Please pray for the safety of their ministry partners and villagers. Pray also that the tension will dissolve, and that the classes and Children’s Bible Clubs will be able to resume shortly.
Pray for many to find rest in the peace of Christ.
