Foreigners in slum, Bajrang sees 145;conversion146;

The group, comprising 26 young boys and girls of different nationalities, had gone to the Palamur Basti in the morning. Their visit was organised by one Pasteur Sudhakar, who indirectly knew Angel Diaz 25, one of the leaders of the group. Speaking to The Indian Express, Diaz said, 8220;We went in a bus. When we got there, there were a lot of children and we all got very excited seeing them. We sat around and sang some children8217;s songs with them. We were only there for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then we got back in the bus.8221;

Meanwhile, police officials said some political party workers complained about the visitors. 8220;We received complaints from Bajrang Dal and BJP workers. They said the foreigners were spoiling our culture and were trying to convert the children to Christianity,8221; ACP Sumiti of Chikkadpally Division said. The youngsters were then brought to the police station. 8220;We sent a team to the slum and got the youth to the police station, mainly for their own protection,8221; she added.

Diaz said her group got into the bus to leave the slum, but could not as the driver was missing. She said there was some commotion around them, 8220;but we could not understand what was going on, as we could not understand the language.8221; After some time, she said, the police showed up and directed the bus to a nearby police station.

8220;We questioned the leader and four others and realised that they had nothing to do with conversions or anything of the sort,8221; said Sumiti. No case was registered and all of them were released. The group is at present staying in the YMCA guest house here.