Villagers from Tamsai in Thane district are said to be too frightened to return home after two recent attacks by Hindu nationalists, apparently angered that the Christians have turned away from tribal religions.
In a first brutal assault on December 30, extremists beat Christians with wooden clubs for refusing to contribute to a festival celebrating a tribal deity. Many fled their homes after this first attack.
Some, however, stayed. This weekend, as a group of Christians met for worship in a private home, about 100 extremists wielding clubs assaulted them. They did not use their clubs this time, but kicked, slapped and beat the worshippers.
