ATTACKS on Christians in India fell slightly last year, the Evangelical Fellowship in India (EFI) says, but it is still "deeply concerned" by the level of hostility towards minority Christian communities.

Reported incidents of violence towards Christians fell from 140 in 2011 to 131 in 2012, the EFI reported in its annual Persecution Watch survey. Many incidents are thought to go unreported, however.

The Revd Dr Richard Howells, general secretary of the EFI, said: "The Evangelical Fellowship of India is deeply concerned at the uninterrupted and increasing hostility against the Christian minority community in the country.

"Though there has been a marginal decrease in the number of incidents, the trends in the violence look similar to last year."

Howells welcomed the decision by one state, Himachal Pradesh, to revoke its sanctions against converts. The US and other countries have urged India to take action to repeal religious conversion laws and protect religious minorities.