Indian Christians block road in protest over killing of pastor in Ludhiana

The Christian community in the city of Ludhiana, India have blocked a road in protest over the killing of a pastor, who was shot dead outside his church on Saturday.

On Sunday, a large number of Christians blocked the GT road at Salem Tabri area for over three hours in protest of the killing, the police stated. Traffic in the city came to a standstill after the protesters reportedly staged a sit-in at the road.

The situation almost became tense as the protesters allegedly became rowdy, but several politicians arrived just in time to pacify them.

"Christian community on the whole supports Congress party and we have assured them of complete justice. This was a work of anti-social elements to disturb peace in Punjab and we will not let it happen at any cost," said Surinder Dawar, a Congress Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

Pastor Sultan Masih, who runs a school for poor children inside the Temple of God church, was shot by two assailants riding a motorcycle at Salem Tabri on Saturday night. Tribune India reported that the pastor sustained two bullet injuries in the chest and one in the head.

According to Police Commissioner RN Dhoke, the images of the assailants were captured by CCTV cameras at the church, but they could not be identified because it was dark.

The assailants reportedly came on a motorcycle and shot the pastor while he was talking on the phone outside the church.

The pastor's son, Rahul Masih, said that the church leader had been living in the area for the last 30 years and had no enmity with anybody.

The protesters initially refused to send the pastor's body for post mortem examination, but they eventually agreed to an autopsy after Christian leaders held a meeting later that day. According to India Today, the meeting was chaired by Manwar Masih, the chairman of the Punjab State Minority Commission.

The local Christian community expressed concern that the killing was a hate attack due to the increasing persecution of Christians in the country.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Asian Christian Association, issued a statement, saying: "This unprovoked attack on a Christian Pastor before many members of his congregation is an attack on religious freedom. It resonates with the hatred Christians face on a daily basis in a nation that is becoming increasingly polarized under Modi's government. Pastor Sultan Masih's name is added to a growing list of Christian martyrs across the globe and I will be praying for succour for his family and friends."

Punjab officials have reportedly offered a government job to a member of the pastor's family and a Rs 5 lakh (US$ 7,771) compensation to his next of kin.