PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Sept 20: Tension gripped Tatanagar railway station late on Friday night after a dramatic episode unfolded involving the alleged trafficking of minor girls for religious conversion.
The uproar began when activists of a Hindu nationalist organization intercepted a group of girls deboarding the South Bihar Express and handed them over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) upon finding their circumstances suspicious.
According to sources, five young men had accompanied the girls on the train. While three were apprehended on the spot, two managed to flee in the ensuing commotion. The GRP has detained the trio and initiated questioning, while a frantic chase is on to trace the absconders.
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Arun Singh, a local leader of the Hindu organization, revealed that a tip-off from a fellow traveller triggered the intervention. “We were informed that the girls were being taken to Patel Bagan in Sundernagar, where a conversion program was allegedly planned,” he claimed.
The situation escalated further when three priests from Jamshedpur arrived at the GRP station, reportedly attempting to secure the release of the detained individuals.
However, their efforts were thwarted by the protesting activists, who insisted on a full investigation.
GRP officials confirmed that the statements of the rescued girls are being recorded to ascertain their origin and the true purpose of their journey.
“The matter is being probed with utmost seriousness,” a police source said, adding that additional security forces have been deployed in and around the station to prevent any untoward incidents.
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The late-night drama drew large crowds to the station premises, fueling intense speculation and heated debates among locals.
Meanwhile, Hindu organizations have branded the episode a “conversion conspiracy” and pressed for stern action from the administration.
Authorities maintain that the truth will emerge only after the inquiry is concluded.
Until then, Tatanagar remains under heightened vigilance.
