UP: Two held for luring 110 people for conversion to Christianity

KANPUR: UP Police intercepted on Sunday two buses ferrying 110 people from Kanpur to Unnao for an event where they were to be allegedly converted to Christianity. Two people were arrested and charged under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance.

ACP Mahesh Kumar said the accused - Simon Williams and Deepak Morris - promised Rs 50,000 each to residents of slums in Kanpur's Nawabganj, Armapur, Kohna and some other places if they converted to Christianity.

A group of Bajrang Dal activists got wind of the plan and alerted Nawabganj police station late on Saturday, sources said. Two buses picked up the group from Nawabganj and were headed to a church in Unnao for the alleged conversion ceremony when police came in the way.

"Apart from cash, they were assured jobs. The unmarried people in the group were promised help in finding partners," the ACP said.

Sunil Balmiki, one of the "rescued" people, later filed a complaint against Williams and Morris.

An official quoted him as saying that his wife was the first one to be lured into agreeing to convert. "Sunil alleged that Deepak and Simon told them their lives would be filled with happiness if they both converted to Christianity."

Police said some more people involved in forceful conversion were on their radar.