All India Christian Council

1st Floor, D-69A, Dahiya building, 
Mahavir Enclave, 
Dabri - Palam Road, 
New Delhi 110045

For Immediate Press Release
Four Christian Attacked and Arrested on Forceful Conversion Charges Including a Christian Police

New Delhi, April 16, 2010

Hindutva fanatics attacked four Christians including a Christian police yesterday at Bhilai, Chhatisgarh. Police have arrested them with charges under Anti Conversion Bill of Chhatisgarh 1968.

According to the sources reaching to All India Christian Council (aicc) that a group of Christians belonging to Brethren Assembly were distributing Christian literature yesterday around 8.30 in morning on street in Bhilai and a group of youth belonging to Hindutva forces came and attacked. Christians were injured and suffer cuts and bruise on bodies.

The matter was reported to local police and police forces arrived at the spot immediately and took both the parties to the police station and instructed the Christians not to distribute literature. Police have also warned the attackers not to take the law into hand.

Within short time, a group of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (a Hindutva militant group) came and gave false allegation of forceful conversion to local police station against the Christians, who were attacked.

After hearing the news about attack on Christians, Mr. G. Samuel, who is a local Christian police, went to the spot to find out the matter. He is also framed with false allegation of forceful conversion along with those who were attacked and latter arrested under Chhatisgarh Freedom of Religion Act 1968 with non-bailable charges. Hindutva forces alleged that they were also attacked by Christians and suffered injuries.

Arun Panalal, President of Chhatisgarh Christian Forum called Christian of whole state to sit in protest against the attack on Christians and demanded to release them unconditionally. Hundreds of Christians in Raipur and other parts of Chhatisgarh came out in protest and submitted memorandum to District Collector of Raipur today.

Christian Communities of the Bhilai with support from all over the state are working to bail out the arrested four Christians. All India Christian Council, speaking the Chhatisgarh Christian Forum and to the family members of the victims arrested have assured to extend help. Christian Council will submit a memorandum to National Commission for Minorities and Human Rights Commission.

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Released by
Madhu Chandra
Regional Secretary
9716004939