Authorities in India’s eastern state of Jharkhand have accused 25 evangelists of allegedly trying to convert tribal Hindu villagers to Christianity. The preachers, seven of whom are women, were sharing the gospel in a remote village some 180 miles east of the state’s capital when they were confronted by local villagers who reportedly got upset with their evangelistic activities.

“The villagers became angry when they began making disparaging comments about tribal places of worship — locally called ‘Manjhi Than’ and ‘Jaher Than’ —saying that Satan resided in such places,” a senior police officer with knowledge on the case told local media. “Angry villagers asked them to stop but they did not.” READ MORE