Believers in India were attacked while they attended an advent service last week.

Five men attacked those attending a private Christmas service on December 17 in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, reports CSW.

The pastor of Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle, his wife and two children, and 10 others were gathered together to celebrate advent last week when the incident took place.

While they were in the house they had rented for the service, at around 8:45 p.m., two men began harassing a 17-year-old boy who had dressed up as Fater Christmas for the festivities.

Three more men joined and began to attack the boy, hitting him outside the home where the gathering was taking place.

When those attending the service pleaded with the men to stop, their clothes were torn and they, too, were hit.

The situation escalated as the men threatened the Christians, who they referred to as "dogs" and "pariahs." The believers were told they would be burned alive in their vehicles by the men.

The men also pressured the landlord of the owners of the home where the Christians were meeting to evict their owners. The couple living in the home has resided there for almost two decades. Out of fear, the landlord agreed to evict the tenants.

After the incident, with no access to immediate medical assistance for those who had sustained injuries, the pastor, Joshua, asked for help and was turned away from a local Inspector at a police check-in post.

One day later, the pastor tried to register a complaint about the incident with the support of other Christian leaders. Reportedly, officers seemed apathetic about the incident until local human rights activists became involved.

CSW reports that a First Information Report (FIR), which is required in order for police to open an investigation, has not been made about the incident. A complaint has been recorded as a non-cognizable offense in the Community Service Register. This prevents police from being able to make an arrest.

Reportedly, the five men responsible for the incident have also apologized to those who were gathered that night to avoid arrest.

This incident is not the first report of intolerance in Tamil Nadu in recent news.

 According to local defender of human rights, Nehemiah Christie, the level of intolerance seen in India continues to rise.

"We used to be able to celebrate our festivities without fear of opposition. The 17-year-old who was dressed as Father Christmas was not even known to these men. I believe they attacked him because he wore a costume which they perceive to be associated with a foreign religion, an outcast belief that does not belong in India."

"It is disheartening and deeply concerning to see that moments of celebrations are being hijacked by those who wish to plant seeds of contention and discord in India," says CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas, who urged local authorities to appropriately address such issues in the country.

"Respect and sensitivity toward one’s right to manifest and observe their religion or belief is paramount, including during festivities."