Raipur: A pastor and two others were beaten up by a right-wing mob inside a police station in Raipur, capital of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
The mob accused the pastor of indulging in forced religious conversions.
The September 5 attack occurred after heated arguments between the mob and those who accompanied the pastor to the police station where they were called for questioning.
The incident took place at the Purani Basti police station in Raipur. The police had received complaints of forced religious conversions being carried out in the Bhatagaon area. A few local right-wing Hindutva leaders, too, reached the police station shortly after.
The complainants were furious and gheraoed the building demanding action against those carrying out such conversion.
The arrival of the pastor, along with some Christians of the Bhatagaon area, sparked the exchange of words between the mob and those called in for questioning.
The pastor was then taken into the station in-charge’s room where the tense situation only worsened. Soon the pastor was subjected to physical assault, officials said. A video of the incident shows some members hitting the priest with slippers and shoes.
“We hadn’t received any complaints earlier. There was no damage done to the police station during the quarrel between the two groups. We are now looking into the complaint (of conversions). Based on what we find, we will take action,” said Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Tarakeswar Patel.
Source: ndtv.com