The Hindu : National : Christian priests beaten up in Maharashtra

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Christian priests beaten up in Maharashtra

For allegedly converting Hindus to Christianity

Pune: Two Christian priests from Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra's Kolapur district were severely beaten up on Monday, allegedly by Bajrang Dal and VHP activists, and later paraded through the streets.

The activists alleged that priests from Karnataka were engaged in converting seven Hindus to Christianity. The incident took place in Shahpur locality of the town when the activists of Hindu outfits reached the spot, where the priests were allegedly performing religious rites to convert people, Resident Deputy Collector Milind Pathak told PTI over phone.

The priests — Ajit Billawi and Ramesh Kagargole — of the Frank Missionary Prayer Board were dragged to the local police station after they were beaten up in public.

They were detained by the police after activists lodged a complaint against them alleging that they were converting Hindus under coersion.

Sukhwinder Singh, Kolapur's SP, said a complaint was registered against the people who were involved in the attack on the two priests. Mr. Singh said investigations were on to identify the attackers, who were local residents, as also the activists.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section