Tribal women tied to tree, beaten up on suspicion of religious conversion in Odisha village; cops book victims
BALASORE: Balasore police registered two separate cases after a video that showed a group of people thrashing two women tied to a tree on suspicion of religious conversion in the Remuna area of Balasore district.
The incident reportedly took place at Kharimukhra village on Thursday. Officer-in-charge (OIC) of Remuna police station Subash Chandra Mallick told TNIE on Sunday that two tribal women had gone to Kharimukhra to convince villagers to convert to Christianity. When the news spread in the area, a mob comprising members of a Hindu outfit and locals reached the spot, tied the two women to a tree and assaulted them.
The mob mutilated the women's faces and forced them to chant "Jai Shri Ram." On being informed, a police team from Nilagiri rushed to spot and rescued the two women.
The duo was brought to Remuna police station as Kharimukhra village comes under its jurisdiction. During interrogation, the women admitted that they had gone to the village to convert the locals, said Mallick.
The same day, separate FIRs were filed by the victims and the locals. Based on the complaints, police registered two cases and booked the women under section 4 of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967 and sections 299, 3 (5) and 351 (2) of the BNS. Similarly, 15 people were booked under various sections of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the BNS.
The OIC said police have identified the people who thrashed the women. Investigation is underway and necessary action will be taken against those involved in the incident.
"Steps are being taken to maintain peace in the area and prevent any breach of law and order. Police are also camping in Kharimukhra village," he added.