Christian leaders allege police harassment

Bhopal, Feb. 23: Christian leaders today alleged that their community members were being `harassed and terrorised' by police in Alirajpur area of Jhabua District of Madhya Pradesh since the recent communal violence there and demanded a CBI probe into the whole episode.

"A fear psychosis has gripped Christians in Alirajpur and Amkut areas as they are being harassed and terrorised by local police personnel," Al Madha, Bishop of Bhopal Indore Diocese, told reporters here.

Al Madha along with Indira Iyengar, President of the Madhya Pradesh Christian Association, claimed Christians have been arrested in connection with the communal clash last month in which Seva Bharti activist Arjun Pal, was killed at Amkut.

Refuting allegations of forced conversion, Al Madha also of the Church of North India, said all these charges were "baseless and false."

He said though Chief Minister Uma Bharti, had assured a delegation of Christians that their safety, security and protection would be ensured, authorities at the local level were adopting a 'repressive' approach.

"We want an impartial investigation into the matter. Let the CBI probe the into the entire episode," he said.