Release International

Christians suspect Hindu militants of the brutal murder of an evangelist in east India, soon after he had helped screen the Jesus film.

A search was launched for Ravi Murmu when he failed to return home after the screening to up to 200 people in Laksmanpur village, Bihar state, on May 2. His mutilated body was found the next day. Christians are now convinced the murder was religiously motivated, not least because none of Ravi's belongings had been taken.

Indeed, Ravi, 32, who was part of the Brethren church, was no stranger to persecution. In 2008, he had been part of a team of evangelists who were attacked in Bihar's Newada area, allegedly by members of Hindu extremist group Bajrang Dal.

Ravi's pastor, Yunus Mandal, who was also hurt in the earlier attack, regularly receives threats, according to his wife, Mary Mandal.

When asked how Ravi's family were coping, his brother Shailendra reportedly said: 'The peace of God still reigns in this house and in this family.'

Police detained two suspects – but later released them.

(Sources: All India Christian Council, Baptist Press, Compass Direct, Gospel for Asia, International Christian Concern)

• Ask God to comfort and bless Ravi's widow, Rinku, and their eight-year-old daughter, Celesty.
• Pray for protection for all Christians in Bihar, who represent about 1 per cent of the state's population.

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