Several people at a local pastor’s premises in Bihar’s Katihar district were injured after Bajrang Dal members allegedly attacked them during a Sunday prayer on August 10. The outfit claimed efforts were underway to convert people. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
One of the people who was at the pastor’s residence claimed that “40-45 people believing in Christianity” had gathered for a weekly prayer meeting around 10 am.
“Around 30-40 men, some carrying iron rods, sticks and even pistols, attacked us. At least 10 people were attacked with iron rods,” he claimed.
A woman who was present there alleged, “They started beating and abusing everyone. They were not letting anyone leave.”
One of the individuals has filed a complaint at the Sahayak police station, naming the “local Bajrang Dal president, Pawan Poddar, and another person among those leading the attack”.
Speaking to local reporters after the incident, Bajrang Dal district president Poddar alleged that the group found evidence of “conversion activities”. “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.”
Locals claimed six people from the prayer meeting were detained for questioning afterwards.
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Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Choudhary said that information was received on August 10 about alleged conversion activities being conducted in the locality.
“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.
