Attack on Clergy in Jabalpur: FIR Filed Amidst Outcry in Parliament; Police Pursuing Suspects
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Synopsis
The Jabalpur Police in Madhya Pradesh are actively searching for suspects involved in the violent assault on clergy members. This incident, which occurred near the Ranjhi police station on March 31, has led to public outcry and formal complaints against three individuals, with efforts intensified following protests in Parliament.
Key Takeaways
- Police launched a manhunt for suspects involved in assault.
- Incident occurred on March 31 at Ranjhi police station.
- Three individuals identified through video evidence.
- Outrage expressed on social media and in Parliament.
- FIR filed, arrests anticipated based on identification.
Bhopal, April 4 (NationPress) The police department of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh has initiated a vigorous search for individuals implicated in a violent attack on religious leaders that occurred on March 31 near the Ranjhi police station.
The incident has led to the authorities filing a formal complaint against three perpetrators, as stated by a senior police official.
Identities of these individuals have been uncovered through a viral video, and they are currently the focus of an ongoing police investigation.
The violent episode involving the clergy has sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms.
Police actions intensified following turbulent demonstrations that resonated in both the Lok Sabha and the Kerala Legislative Assembly recently.
As per police reports, on March 31, members of Hindu religious groups intercepted two buses, forcing passengers to disembark in the Ranjhi police station vicinity.
The passengers, originating from Mandla, were accused of being brought to Jabalpur for alleged religious conversion activities.
The commotion at the police station attracted Christian followers, resulting in a video showing members of the Hindu group reportedly assaulting Christian clergy.
This incident has drawn strong condemnation from Opposition figures, including Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Congress General Secretary, KC Venugopal.
On April 3, these leaders criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for its supposed involvement in the attacks on Christian clergy in Jabalpur.
The issue was vigorously discussed in the Lok Sabha, leading to a walk-out by opposition members.
Satish Sahu, City Superintendent of Police, Ranjhi (Jabalpur) informed IANS that an FIR (First Information Report) was filed on Wednesday, indicating that the arrest of the suspects is anticipated, pending their identification via video evidence.
According to police sources, the incident unfolded at the Ranjhi station during an investigation into claims by Hindu groups regarding the purported coercive conversion of tribal individuals from Mandla.
On March 31, two buses transporting passengers from Maharajpur in Mandla district, accompanied by a priest and a nun, were located near the city’s religious institutions.
Local groups, suspicious of conversion activities, alerted the police, which led to the bus and its occupants being escorted to the station.
Upon inspection, the passengers identified as Christians while displaying Hindu identities in their documents.
After this verification, the buses and their occupants were allowed to continue their journey. Mandla, a district predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, is situated approximately 100 km from Jabalpur.
