Dialogue formula, Salmari (Katihar):
- On Sunday, 15 people associated with a Christian missionary were taken hostage by villagers in Shishabari village of Marbatpur Panchayat in Katihar, Bihar.
Allegation of brainwashing by luring:
- The villagers claim that the missionaries convert people by brainwashing and luring them.
- They allege that the family of the person whose house they were kept hostage in had also been converted three months ago.
Accused of threatening people of missionary:
- A meeting of local villagers was held on Saturday evening regarding this matter, where the converted family was being explained.
- The converted people informed the missionaries about the meeting, and they allegedly abused and threatened the villagers over the phone.
Also accused of assault:
- On Sunday morning, 15 people arrived on two four-wheelers and allegedly abused and beat the villagers.
- Some villagers sustained minor injuries.
These people converted:
- A dozen people, including Kisan Mandal, Prakash Mandal, Gunja Mandal, Pano Devi, Sanjay Mandal, Babi Devi, Ganesh Kumar, Pritam Kumar, and Pratima Kumari, have been converted.
- Several Mahadalit families in the block area have previously been converted to Christianity.
What did the police station chief say?
- The matter is being investigated, and those brought to the police station are being interrogated.
- The police suspect that it may be a dispute related to a money transaction.
- Legal action will be taken if any inducement or forced conversion is found.
