Jharkhand village tense after conversion allegation, accused’s house set on fire, several arrested

Tensions prevailed at a Jharkhand village after a 32-year-old man was booked on charges of forcible religious conversion. A mob then set his house on fire, pelted stones at it, and attacked police who tried to stop them, officers said.

The man has been arrested, as have seven local residents accused of attacking his house on Saturday.

The incident took place at Jhimri village in Saraikela-Kharsawan district. An FIR was registered against the 32-year-old following a complaint that alleged he had abducted a girl from the Kudmi community and forcibly converted her.

Officials said the girl has been located, that she is not a minor and that she denied the allegations raised by the village residents. Her official statement will be recorded in court within two days, they said.

Superintendent of Police Mukesh Lunayat said the case is under investigation and that more clarity is expected after the girl records her statement.

“One man was arrested soon after the FIR was filed. But after the complaint, we were informed that some villagers tried to harass the accused’s family, pelting stones and setting fire to their home. Prompt action by local police ensured the family’s safety. However, the mob also attacked the police,” he said.

The mob allegedly pelted stones at police, injuring two personnel and damaging a police vehicle.

Leader of Opposition Babu Lal Marandi raised the issue on social media, calling it a case of religious conversion and urging Chief Minister to order strict action.

He also shared a purported marriage certificate of the couple, which said they got married last month in Birbhum district of West Bengal. While the certificate says the girl is not a minor, Marandi said that information was questionable.

A senior police officer said the marriage certificate is being verified and that the case was being investigated from all angles.

Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India.

Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers’ unions.
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