CBCI claims priest, nuns ‘attacked' in Balasore; cops say no such plaint
Police said there has been no such incident reported in the district even as CBCI, in a press statement on Friday, urged the state govt to take swift action to identify and prosecute those responsible for the alleged incident.
According to reports cited by CBCI, Father Lijo, parish priest of St Thomas Church in Jaleswar, along with another priest, two nuns, and a catechist, was returning to the parish after conducting a requiem mass in a nearby village.
The group was allegedly stopped, abused and manhandled in Basta area, with accusations of religious conversion levelled against them. The nuns were rescued by local women.
CBCI further alleged that Lijo's mobile phone was forcibly taken and not returned, while the catechist, Durjyodhan, was brutally assaulted, and his motorcycle was damaged. The mob, consisting of around 70 people, were said to have included many outsiders.
Responding to the allegations, sub-divisional police officer (Basta), Manas Deo said there was no complaint regarding any such incident, either of forced conversion or anyone trying to stop them. "We got to know that there was a death ritual. All those present belonged to one community. There were some heated arguments over something, but the matter did not come before the police," Deo said.
CBCI urged authorities to uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, ensuring that every citizen can live and practice their faith without fear. CBCI affirmed its commitment to closely monitor the situation and defend the rights, dignity and safety of all citizens, particularly the Christian community.
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