Shillong: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and BJP leader A L Hek has written to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, urging the immediate release of two Catholic nuns who were arrested at Durg railway station on July 25, following a complaint filed by a Bajrang Dal functionary.
In his letter, Hek expressed deep concern over the arrest of the two nuns—Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis—who were taken into custody along with Sukaman Mandavi.
The arrest was based on allegations of forced religious conversion and human trafficking involving three girls from Narayanpur district.
Hek, referring to a prior telephonic conversation with the Chhattisgarh chief minister, appealed for the matter to be thoroughly investigated and emphasised that, to his knowledge, no forced conversions had been carried out by the church.
“The Church has always served humanity with integrity,” he wrote. “I humbly request your good office to take appropriate steps to determine the actual cause and circumstances of this incident.”
He also thanked the Chhattisgarh CM for his reported assurance to look into the matter and expressed hope for the early release of the nuns.
The arrests have triggered political ripples beyond Chhattisgarh.
In Kerala, the BJP state unit distanced itself from the action taken by the Chhattisgarh police.
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BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said there was no evidence of forced conversion or trafficking and assured that the party would do everything possible to ensure the safe return of the nuns.
Sai had earlier defended the police action, stating that it was carried out in response to a formal complaint.
However, the matter continues to draw scrutiny, with calls for a fair investigation and assurances of legal and humanitarian protections for the accused.
