CHANDRAKONA, Paschim Medinipur: Nine members of three Christian families have accused a group of people of assault and threats aimed at forcing them to give up their faith, prompting police to register a case and deploy personnel in the locality, a senior officer said on Thursday.
Complaints, police action and where the families live
The families, who have lived in the area for about three decades and are said to have converted to Christianity around 18 months ago, filed complaints after incidents on October 18 and 19, according to the officer who spoke to PTI. All nine aggrieved persons were escorted to the police station to lodge their statements and subsequently returned home under police supervision.
Following the complaints, police registered a case naming people the families identified in their petitions. The officer declined to disclose the names involved, saying that would affect the ongoing investigation, but added that personnel have been posted in the area to prevent any fresh trouble and that the situation was "totally under control."
Allegations and reported injuries
The complainants alleged that the group physically assaulted them and issued threats if they did not renounce Christianity. One woman reportedly lost consciousness after being beaten; another girl was also allegedly assaulted and threatened. The families said they were forced to participate in certain religious rituals against their wishes.
"A case has been initiated against people named by the families in their complaint. We are unable to disclose the names for the sake of our investigation," the officer said.
Police said the accused allegedly warned the families not to approach law enforcement, a factor that contributed to the decision to station officers in the neighbourhood while inquiries continue.
What police are probing
Authorities are examining multiple possible motives, the officer said, including whether the incidents arose from a local dispute, an old family feud or other causes. At this stage, the police said they did not have clarity on any political links of the accused and would disclose details after completing their probe.
- Victims: Nine members of three families residing in Chandrakona.
- Alleged incidents: Assaults, threats aimed at forcing renunciation of faith, coerced participation in rituals.
- Police response: Case registered, names of accused recorded in complaint, personnel posted in the area.
Timeline
| Date | Reported event |
|---|---|
| October 18–19 | Families allege assaults, threats and forced rituals |
| October 22 | Complaints lodged; police register case and deploy personnel |
The development comes amid heightened sensitivity around faith and conversions in parts of the state and country. Local law-and-order authorities have been taking a cautious approach, prioritising immediate protection for those who register complaints while gathering evidence to determine motive and culpability.
District administrative offices had not provided further comment at the time of reporting. Several calls and messages to the District Magistrate seeking response were reported as unanswered, according to PTI.
Investigators now face the task of corroborating the victims' accounts, identifying and questioning those named in the complaint, and determining whether the episodes represent targeted communal intimidation or are connected to other local disputes. The police officer said all angles were being explored and promised further disclosures once inquiries progress.
For residents of Chandrakona, the immediate priority is security. Posting of police personnel aims to deter reprisals and reassure the families while the legal process unfolds. The case is likely to be watched closely by community leaders and rights groups given the gravity of the allegations.
Further updates will depend on the police investigation and any subsequent action by the district administration or judicial authorities.
