Kolkata: Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), a forum representing Christian communities in Bengal and parts of east and northeast India, has expressed deep anguish over repeated attacks on the community in the state. In the latest incident, a house church service in Dantan, West Midnapore, was attacked on Sunday by a mob of 40-45 chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. A female devotee was abducted and later rescued by police.On Sunday, the mob allegedly issued a directive demanding an immediate halt to all church services.Ashalata Murmu, who was leading the Sunday morning service, remains traumatised. Recounting the ordeal to TOI, she said, “We hold morning prayers every Sunday at Ram Nayak’s house. I reached the spot around 9 am and began the service. At 9.30 am, we noticed a crowd outside the house, calling Nayak out. Hearing an argument, we stepped outside. Some of them ordered us to stop services immediately, citing govt orders.”She added, “One of them confronted us, saying, ‘‘Tumi jano na sarkar bolechhe Girja Masjid bondho. Esob ar kora jabe na (Don’t you know the govt has declared that churches and mosques are closed? None of this can be done anymore).”When Nayak expressed ignorance of any such directive and refused to comply, he was physically assaulted.As female worshippers attempted to resist the aggression, they, too, were assaulted. Among them, Chumki Singh was allegedly dragged by her hair, abducted, and held captive by the miscreants for at least two hours. Officers from Dantan Police Station, alerted by locals, rescued Singh. An official from Dantan Police Station said no formal complaint has been registered yet.BCP founder state secretary Herod Mullick said, “We have seen frequent attacks over the last few months. We appeal to the govt to take stringent action, identify the culprits, and initiate punitive measures against them.”BCP Dantan Zone Committee has announced a ‘Peace and Prayer Rally’ on Sept 21, starting at God’s Church and proceeding towards Dantan Police Station to spread a message of peace and harmony.(With inputs from Sujoy Khara)