Violence against Christians remain high in India, 47 FIRs lodged in 673 reported incidents: Report
New Delhi: In a concerning trend, incidents of violence against Christians in India remain high, with 673 incidents reported to the United Christian Forum (UCF) helpline by the end of October 2024. Uttar Pradesh leads with the highest number of reported incidents (182), followed by Chhattisgarh (139).
The UCF, a Delhi-based civil society organisation focused on Christian issues, highlighted the findings in its “Violence Monitor Report 2024”. The report, as cited by Maktoob on Thursday, noted that only 47 FIRs were registered out of a total of 673 incidents.
AC Michael, national coordinator of the UCF, told the news outlet about the growing difficulty for Christians to practice their faith in India. He noted that violence against Christians has escalated in recent years, stating, “In 2014, incidents of violence against Christians were fewer than a hundred. By 2018, the number increased to 292, and it has risen every year since. In 2023, we recorded around 750 incidents, meaning two Christians were attacked every day in our country.”
Michael also criticised the police for not taking adequate action against perpetrators. “The police detain pastors under false allegations of forceful conversion rather than taking action against the perpetrators,” he added.
The reported incidents of violence include physical violence, murders, sexual violence, intimidation, threats, social boycotts, damage to religious properties, desecration of religious symbols, and disruptions of prayer services. According to the UCF, Christians are facing varying levels of violence and discrimination across 23 of India’s 28 states.
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London's Gatwick Airport evacuates part of South Terminal due to suspicious item
London, Nov 22: London's Gatwick Airport evacuated part of its South Terminal as a precaution on Friday while police investigated a suspicious item found in luggage.
Authorities were called to the terminal at 8:20 am after the discovery of a "suspected prohibited item," Sussex Police said in a statement.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with,” police said.
“As a precaution, an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team is being deployed to the airport.”
No one will be able to enter the South Terminal until the incident is resolved, the airport said in a statement on X.
The train station serving Gatwick has also been closed, Britain's rail network operator said.
“We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” the airport said.
