Tension grips Jamalpur following forced conversion

Posted March 18, 2009


March 17, 2009
Indian Express
Source Link

Ludhiana Tension gripped the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) colony in Jamalpur on the Chandigarh Road following allegations and counter allegations of forced conversion to Christianity and subsequent destroying of Bible scriptures.

According to sources, on late Sunday evening some persons allegedly stormed into a small church in the EWS colony and damaged holy scriptures. "The assailants also manhandled the members of our community and did not spare even women," said Albert Dua of the Christian United Federation.

But some persons from the rival group said that some members of the church were forcibly converting a man and the mother of the man had threatened self immolation if he was converted. But Albert Dua denied all the allegations .

After receiving the information, the officers from the district and police administration reached the spot and tried to pacify both factions.

SP (Headquarters) Harish Kumar, SP City II Harjinder Singh, DSP Harmohan Singh and the area sub divisional magistrate (SDM) were among those who went to the area to take a stock of the situation and to broker peace.

SSP Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill said, "The situation is fully under control and thankfully it did not take an ugly turn. Both groups have almost reached to an understanding and the matter is likely to be resolved soon."