Senior Meghalaya BJP legislator and cabinet minister A.L. Hek has made a direct appeal to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, calling for the immediate release of two Kerala-based Catholic nuns arrested under controversial charges in Durg.
In a strongly worded letter sent to the Chhattisgarh CM, Hek stated, “With deep sense of concern, I humbly request you and your good office for immediate release of the said nuns and to take appropriate steps to interrogate on the causes and ground effect of the matter. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the Church is not doing any force conversion but giving the best services to all humanity.”
Referring to the arrest that took place on July 25 at Durg Railway Station, Hek wrote, “I would like to request you and your good office for immediate release of the two nuns who were arrested from Durg Railway Station on 25th July, 2025 based on the FIR lodged by the Bajrang Dal.”
The two nuns, Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, affiliated with the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), were detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP) along with a young man while escorting three young women aged between 18 and 19 from Narayanpur district.
Authorities have slapped them with grave charges under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, accusing them of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.
According to sources, Hek also spoke directly with CM Vishnu Deo Sai over the phone, where he was reportedly assured that the detained nuns would be released soon. While refraining from directly naming any group, Hek emphasized that “individuals responsible must be held accountable.”
The arrest has triggered widespread outrage among church groups, human rights activists, and several political leaders, raising concerns about the growing misuse of religious conversion laws and increasing communal tensions.
