A number of Christian community people, on Tuesday gathered outside the Superintendent of Police office to protest against the alleged assault on Christian clerics inside the Ranjhi police station. The atmosphere at the SP office remained tense for a long time during the demonstration. The protesters demanded immediate action against those responsible for the attack.

 

The community people ended their demonstration only after the SP assured that within 24 hours, those responsible for the attack on the religious leaders will be arrested and legal action will be taken. The community people also demanded adequate police security in places of worship and religious places. On receiving information about the protest, police teams from various stations rushed to the scene to manage the situation. The Christian community is demanding strict action against the people involved in the assault and their immediate arrest. The protest was sparked by viral videos circulating on social media, allegedly showing the attack on Christian clerics inside Ranjhi police station on Monday. In response, on Tuesday, representatives of the Christian community submitted a memorandum to the Collector and the SP, urging stringent action against the attackers.

 

Representatives of the community informed SP Sampat Upadhyay that on March 31, a group of Christian devotees, including women and children had travelled from Mandla to Jabalpur for prayers. However, some people allegedly stopped them unnecessarily and assaulted them. Later, when Vicar General of Jabalpur Catholic Diocese, Senior Religious Leader of St. Peter and Paul Church Sadar, Father Davis George, Secretary of Jabalpur Diocese Father George T and others visited Ranjhi police station to check on the victims, they were also attacked inside the station. The community leaders have urged authorities to take strict action and arrest those responsible. It may be noted that on Monday, members of Hindu organisations intercepted a passenger bus and took it to Ranjhi police station.

 

The activists alleged that the bus was transporting tribal people from Maharajpur, Mandla for illegal religious conversions. The bus had been stopped near Bhawartal Park before the passengers were taken to the police station. However, the bus passengers stated that they had travelled voluntarily. At the police station, Hindu activists allegedly clashed with a father and his associates who had arrived to meet the passengers. The activists accused them of forcing tribal people into religious conversion. The situation escalated and turned into a heated exchange between the activists and the police. Authorities are now investigating the incident and the Christian community continues to demand justice and accountability for the attacks.