Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): A week after Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav warned execution (hang till death) against forceful religious conversions, two men were arrested for allegedly brainwashing 18 labourers and luring them to convert to Christianity.
Police caught the two accused, along with labourers, onboard Patalkot Express at Gwalior railway station on Wednesday.
The accused men promised labourers Rs 1 lakh each in exchange of religion conversion and were taking them from Chhindwara to Punjab.
The accused have been identified as Sejanath Suryavanshi and Vijay Kumar.
According to information, the passengers, all from poor laborer backgrounds, were reportedly promised ₹1 lakh each if they converted to Christianity.
They were also assured free education for their children in Christian schools and job opportunities abroad.
The group had boarded the train from Chhindwara with individuals suspected of being part of a conversion network.
Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted the train at multiple stations.
First, at Ganjbasoda station in Vidisha, 11 passengers were taken off. Later, at Bina station, 4 more were removed. Authorities then learned that 3 more passengers were in coach S-1.
The train was finally stopped for 30 minutes at Gwalior railway station, where the last 3 passengers were detained. Gwalior GRP later handed them over to the Ganjbasoda police for further investigation.
According to Gwalior GRP police, Bajrang Dal members had informed them that a large number of poor laborers from Chhindwara were being taken to a church in Jalandhar, Punjab, for religious conversion in exchange for money.
