UTTARKASHI: Members of right-wing groups along with local villagers staged a protest march against some of their fellow members being booked in the alleged "forced conversion" case in Purola town of Uttarkashi district on Monday.
In a memorandum sent to the CM, the protesters alleged that "Christian missionaries" were carrying out "forced and unlawful conversion" in the region and when locals tried to stop it, they turned violent. "However, instead of arresting accused missionaries, local police have lodged fake cases on several villagers," they added.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of cases against villagers, to arrest the accused "missionaries" and "ban such activities in the region". They threatened to intensify the stir, if their demands were not met at the earliest.
Jitendra Kumar, sub-divisional magistrate, said, "The case is still under police investigation. Police and administration have ensured complete transparency in the matter. We will take strict action if any person is found guilty."
Earlier on Sunday, five members of a right-wing group and a few other unidentified persons were booked by police for “disturbing public peace, promoting enmity among people on religious grounds and rioting” after some of them allegedly disrupted a "prayer meet" held by Christians in Devdung region of Purola block in Uttarkashi district a few days ago.
