Author: Staff Reporter
Publication: The Hindu
Date: September 9, 2008
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/09/stories/2008090960180400.htm
The Ulsoor police have arrested two persons,
including a U.S. national, on charges of attempting religious conversion,
on Monday night. They have been remanded in judicial custody.
Ivie Cannon (24) and Valluri (28) have been
accused for offences under Sections 295 (a) (deliberate and malicious acts
intended to outrage religious feelings) and 298 (uttered words with deliberate
intention to wound religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code.
They were sent to Bangalore Central Prison
in Parappana Agrahara off Hosur Road.
"On Tuesday we are expecting officials
from the American Consulate. We have informed about the arrest of Ivie Cannon
to his country," said authorities of the Ulsoor police station.
The police said preliminary investigations
had revealed that the accused were allegedly involved in attempting religious
conversions in and around Ulsoor.
The main accused Ivie Cannon, a priest, came
here three months back on a tourist visa and has been staying in CMH Road.
The police said Mr. Cannon, along with his
other associates, was allegedly engaged in door-to-door conversion campaign
at Muniswamy Appa Road, Jogupalaya, Ulsoor and surrounding areas. By offering
money and other valuables, the accused were allegedly forcing the locals to
visit churches and convert to their community.
On Sunday night, some persons objected to
their activities and took them to the Ulsoor police station demanding that
the police book them. They also held a protest demonstration in front of the
station.
"We have confiscated pamphlets, visiting
cards, copies of the Bible and other documents from the accused," said
a police officer who did not want to be named.
