A Christian youth died as he fell into an open well while fleeing in panic from a group of suspected right-wing activists who attacked a prayer meeting in Salaiyya village of Betul district late on Saturday night. Three persons,including a woman,were injured in the attack that occurred when about 400 Christians were holding a prayer meet in the village,about 12 km from the Sarni Police Station. The attackers,wearing masks,were carrying sticks and tubelights and smashed vehicles parked at the venue. Amit Gilbert,aged around 24,had come from Raipur to attend the meeting. He fell into the well about 300 metres from the venue and suffered injuries on his head and legs. The body was fished out in the wee hours of Sunday. The community took out a silent march in Sarni on Sunday to protest against the incident. The police have registered a case against unknown persons,Betul SP R L Prajapati told The Indian Express. The attack comes two days after Christians alleged that there was a rise in attacks on the minority community since Home Minister Umashankar Gupta took over,and a day before the community had scheduled a protest in the capital on Sunday.
