GETTY Christian families were beaten and left without water in a targeted attack

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Four families claim they were beaten with sticks in India’s Utter Pradesh state and forced to take part in Hindu rituals. They claim other Christians have been targeted in Jalalabad village, Ghazipur District and the targeted hate campaign is affecting their livelihood after the extremists cut off the water supply to their crops. The attack comes as India records more than 250 attacks on Christians in the country so far this year.

How will we survive if we don’t grow our crops? They have all joined together and are conspiring against us Sasikala Kumari

India has seen persecution levels rise dramatically in the last four years with up to 15 violent attacks on Christians every week in 2016, according to advocacy charity Open Doors. Tensions have escalated between Christian communities and Hindu extremists with five states in India banning people from converting to Christianity. Christian villagers in Jalalabad accused police of colluding with their attackers by ordering their water supply to be shut off.

AFP India has seen persecution levels rise dramatically in the last four years

The families say they have been told if they stop holding church services the water will be restored. Sasikala Kumari told Morning Star News: “How will we survive if we don’t grow our crops? They have all joined together and are conspiring against us.” The victims say they were beaten with sticks and accused of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. It is claimed the families were ordered to take part in Hindu rituals with the village chief leading the mob. REVEALED: The deadliest places for Christians where believers are MASSACRED and ENSLAVED

AFP India has recorded more than 250 attacks on Christians in the country so far this year

GETTY Since Narendra Modi's BJP party's election victory India has seen a wave of attacks on Christians