Indian Railway on Wednesday clarified that nuns were detained in Jansi railway station on March 19 after receiving complaint on suspicion of human trafficking against them.
"On March 19, we received a complaint on suspicion of human trafficking, against 2 nuns travelling with 2 young girls in Utkal Express. After the probe, we found that there was no case of human trafficking. They were immediately released and sent back," the railway official said.
The railway issued clarification after it was reported in the media that two nuns and two postulants were taken off an express train on March 19 for questioning by railway police in UP's Jhansi following complaints from Bajrang Dal activists that two women were allegedly being taken forcibly for religious conversion.
The issue was kicked up row after Congress and Left Parties attacked the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government alleging that right wing activists harassed nuns.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday assured Kerala that strong action will be taken against those who involve in harassing nuns belonging to a Kerala-based congregation.
Also read: Amit Shah assures action against culprits in nuns harassment incident
Shah's assurance came in the background of BJP Kanjirappally assembly candidate for April 6 polls, K J Alphonse, who raised the issue with the Union Minister.
Even Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought strict action against those "who disrupt and impair the freedom of individual rights" guaranteed by the Constitution.
(Published 24 March 2021, 19:37 IST)
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