The Crossbill News Desk
Several people were injured in Bihar’s Katihar district on Sunday (August 10), after members of the Bajrang Dal allegedly attacked a gathering at a local pastor’s residence during a weekly prayer meeting.
The outfit has claimed that the event was part of an ongoing religious conversion effort, a charge denied by those present. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, The Indian Express reported.
According to one attendee, about 40–45 people belonging to the Christian faith had assembled around 10 am when a group of 30–40 men, some armed with iron rods, sticks, and even pistols, stormed the premises.
“At least 10 people were attacked with iron rods,” he told the newspaper. A woman present at the time claimed the attackers “started beating and abusing everyone” and prevented them from leaving.
A complaint filed at the Sahayak police station named the local Bajrang Dal president, Pawan Poddar, and another individual as leading the assault. Speaking to local media later, Poddar alleged that his group had found evidence of large-scale conversion attempts.
“We received information that religious conversion was being conducted on a large scale,” he claimed.
“When we arrived, efforts were underway to entice and persuade 200–250 innocent Hindus… Several such books and items used for conversion were found. We informed the local police over the phone, and they came and took everyone away,” he said, adding that the police were informed and arrived to take people into custody.
Locals said six people from the prayer meeting were detained for questioning.
Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary confirmed the paper that police had received information on August 10 about alleged conversion activities in the area.
“Police are investigating, and some people have been brought in for questioning in this matter. At the same time, it has been found that those making the conversion allegations carried out an assault at the spot. One or two people received minor injuries and are under treatment. We are identifying those involved in the assault, and an FIR has been lodged against them for further action,” he said.
The outfit has claimed that the event was part of an ongoing religious conversion effort, a charge denied by those present. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, The Indian Express reported.
According to one attendee, about 40–45 people belonging to the Christian faith had assembled around 10 am when a group of 30–40 men, some armed with iron rods, sticks, and even pistols, stormed the premises.
“At least 10 people were attacked with iron rods,” he told the newspaper. A woman present at the time claimed the attackers “started beating and abusing everyone” and prevented them from leaving.
A complaint filed at the Sahayak police station named the local Bajrang Dal president, Pawan Poddar, and another individual as leading the assault. Speaking to local media later, Poddar alleged that his group had found evidence of large-scale conversion attempts.
“We received information that religious conversion was being conducted on a large scale,” he claimed.
“When we arrived, efforts were underway to entice and persuade 200–250 innocent Hindus… Several such books and items used for conversion were found. We informed the local police over the phone, and they came and took everyone away,” he said, adding that the police were informed and arrived to take people into custody.
Locals said six people from the prayer meeting were detained for questioning.
Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary confirmed the paper that police had received information on August 10 about alleged conversion activities in the area.
“Police are investigating, and some people have been brought in for questioning in this matter. At the same time, it has been found that those making the conversion allegations carried out an assault at the spot. One or two people received minor injuries and are under treatment. We are identifying those involved in the assault, and an FIR has been lodged against them for further action,” he said.
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