RAIPUR: The SP of Bastar’s Narayanpur district suffered a head injury and several other policemen were hurt while trying to control a mob that vandalised a church while alleging “rampant conversion” in the tribal-dominated district.
Chhattisgarh home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said a group of local tribals went to attack a church in Narayanpur on Monday and police and the district administration tried to solve the dispute amicably. SP Sadanand Kumar was attacked from behind, Sahu said.
Tension has been simmering in parts of Chhattisgarh, including Narayanpur, since mid-December over alleged conversion and reports of attacks on Christians. Eight people were injured in a clash with a group of Christians on Sunday, following which a group of tribals called a bandh and staged a demonstration.
On Monday, violence broke out when a group of tribals faced off with a group of tribal Christians at a church in Bakhrupara area of Narayanpur. As per sources, the Christians were accused of following a “foreign religion” and told to leave the village and live in forests.
The tribals were protesting against “rampant conversion” in the region and alleged that Christians were attacking tribals. When police intervened, they were attacked. The injured SP was rushed to hospital where he received stitches to the head. His condition is stable now, say sources.
His head bandaged, SP Kumar later told reporters, “Tribal communities had convened a meeting on Monday and their leaders visited me and the collector to carry it out peacefully. But a few people suddenly went to attack a church and police teams rushed to the spot. I was attacked on the head from behind. We are identifying the attackers.”
Narayanpur collector Ajit Vasant said, “There was a demonstration scheduled by Adivasi groups. Some members of this group suddenly turned aggressive and proceeded to damage the church. We intervened and tried to calm them down and were peacefully handling the situation.” Bastar IG P Sundarraj said Narayanpur district police and the local administration were taking steps to resolve the issue and ensure peace.
People from several villages have submitted a memorandum to the administration alleging that they were assaulted and evicted from their homes for converting to Christianity.
TOI had earlier reported that at least 60 Christian families, including women, were allegedly assaulted by miscreants and many families forced to vacate their houses. Around 100 of them had to shelter in churches and a stadium.
Chhattisgarh home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said a group of local tribals went to attack a church in Narayanpur on Monday and police and the district administration tried to solve the dispute amicably. SP Sadanand Kumar was attacked from behind, Sahu said.
Tension has been simmering in parts of Chhattisgarh, including Narayanpur, since mid-December over alleged conversion and reports of attacks on Christians. Eight people were injured in a clash with a group of Christians on Sunday, following which a group of tribals called a bandh and staged a demonstration.
On Monday, violence broke out when a group of tribals faced off with a group of tribal Christians at a church in Bakhrupara area of Narayanpur. As per sources, the Christians were accused of following a “foreign religion” and told to leave the village and live in forests.
The tribals were protesting against “rampant conversion” in the region and alleged that Christians were attacking tribals. When police intervened, they were attacked. The injured SP was rushed to hospital where he received stitches to the head. His condition is stable now, say sources.
His head bandaged, SP Kumar later told reporters, “Tribal communities had convened a meeting on Monday and their leaders visited me and the collector to carry it out peacefully. But a few people suddenly went to attack a church and police teams rushed to the spot. I was attacked on the head from behind. We are identifying the attackers.”
Narayanpur collector Ajit Vasant said, “There was a demonstration scheduled by Adivasi groups. Some members of this group suddenly turned aggressive and proceeded to damage the church. We intervened and tried to calm them down and were peacefully handling the situation.” Bastar IG P Sundarraj said Narayanpur district police and the local administration were taking steps to resolve the issue and ensure peace.
People from several villages have submitted a memorandum to the administration alleging that they were assaulted and evicted from their homes for converting to Christianity.
TOI had earlier reported that at least 60 Christian families, including women, were allegedly assaulted by miscreants and many families forced to vacate their houses. Around 100 of them had to shelter in churches and a stadium.
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