BINJAI, Indonesia – Hundreds of local residents and hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) members attacked members of the Tandem Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) Church, cutting short their Sunday (December 1st) services, local media reported.

The Christian worshippers were forced to return home, escorted by police in riot gear, AsiaNews reported.

Local authorities in the North Sumatra city are still evaluating whether to issue a permit for the church, and the FPI said it should not be used because of that, according to Waspada Online.

FPI Co-ordinator Nasir Ahmad said his group's actions had "support" of local authorities given during a November 27th meeting.

Binjai MP Zainnudin Purba blamed the administration for being unable to make a decision on the matter for five years.