Sangh activists rough up priests

Two priests from Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra8217;s Kohlapur district were severely beaten up today, allegedly by Bajrang Dal and VHP activists, and later paraded through the streets. The activists accused the priests from Karnataka of forcibly converting seven Hindus to Christianity.

The incident took place last evening in Shahpur locality of the town when the activists of Hindu outfits reached the spot where the priests were found to be performing religious rites to convert people, Resident Deputy Collector Milind Pathak said. The priests8212;Ajit Billawi and Ramesh Kagargole8212;of Frank Missionary Prayer Board were dragged to the local police station after they were beaten up in public. They were detained after activists lodged a complaint against them alleging they were converting under coercion.

SP Sukhwinder Singh said a complaint has also been registered against the people who were involved in the attack on the two priests. He said investigations were on to identify the attackers.

Terming the incident as 8216;condemnable8217;, state Home Minister R R Patil said a high-level probe has been ordered into the incident. The guilty will get the strongest possible punishment.