S kumar

BANGALORE: 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.

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