PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Rudrapur
Udham Singh Nagar police have arrested four persons in connection with alleged forced religious conversion activities targeting poor and vulnerable families in Khatima and Nanakmatta areas. The SSP, Udham Singh Nagar, Ajay Ganpati said that they are very alert particularly following instructions from the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to deal strictly with such cases.
According to police, the accused allegedly lured members of the Tharu community and economically weaker families with promises of money, medical treatment and financial assistance if they got converted to Christianity. Police said prayer meetings, religious literature and door-to-door visits are used to influence people.
The case surfaced after complaints were lodged at Khatima police station alleging threats, intimidation and pressure to adopt Christianity. One complainant alleged that her husband and others had threatened harm to her children if she refused to convert.
Police registered cases under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act. Police claimed that one accused had promised Rs 6,000 per month and Rs two lakh as financial support for conversion.
The arrested accused have been identified as Dan Singh Rana (54), resident of Mohammadpur Bhudiya; Jai Singh Rana (36), resident of Kutri Chakarpur; Draupadi Rana (32), resident of Kutri Chakarpur; and Sunil George Pastor alias Sunil George Masih (52), resident of Bhud Maholia, all from Khatima area.
Police further said that a mobile phone recovered from one of the accused contained videos, photographs and financial transaction records linked to conversion activities.
SSP Ajay Ganpati said that strict legal action would continue against anyone exploiting poor and vulnerable people in the name of religion.
