Prayer gathering attack in West Bengal raises minority safety concerns

Kolkata: An alleged attack on a Christian prayer fellowship in Sinni village under Dantan 2 block of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, has raised fresh concerns over the safety of the minority community.

According to Matters India, unidentified persons allegedly entered a house church in Sinni village while Sunday worship was under way and disrupted the prayer gathering. Women who reportedly confronted the intruders were allegedly assaulted during the incident.

Women reportedly held after attack

The report said several women were allegedly taken away from the prayer gathering and held for nearly 90 minutes.

The incident prompted representatives of the Bangiya Khristiya Parisheba (BCP) to travel to Sinni village. BCP district secretary Jissai Singh and other leaders reportedly reached the area after receiving information about the incident.

Police intervene in Sinni village

Personnel from Dantan Police Station reportedly intervened and secured the release of the women who had allegedly been detained.

The victims, along with BCP representatives, later approached Dantan Police Station to lodge a complaint. Advocate Aditya Tewari of the BCP Legal Cell reportedly assisted in preparing the complaint.

An FIR was subsequently registered, according to the report, and police began looking into the allegations.

Repeated incidents raise concern

The reported attack in Sinni village has caused additional concern among community representatives as it has been described as the second major targeted attack in the Dantan block within a few weeks.

BCP State Founding Secretary Herod Mullick reportedly raised concerns about the response to such incidents and called for greater accountability.

The allegations have not been independently verified in the supplied material. The police investigation is expected to establish what happened at the prayer gathering and identify those responsible.

The incident has nevertheless renewed calls for stronger protection of minority communities in Paschim Medinipur and across West Bengal, particularly during religious gatherings.