Kohima: Sister Preethi Mary, Sister Vandana Francis, and Sukaman Mandavi, who were arrested last week at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh, have been granted bail on Friday.
They were arrested on July 25 after local right-wing workers accused them of forced religious conversion and human trafficking. The nuns belong to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) congregation, headquartered at Cherthala in Kerala’s Alappuzha district.
Reacting to the development, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and minister of Home & Border Affairs Minister Y Patton welcomed the news of their bail while expressing deep concern over the incident.
In a statement issued by his media cell, Patton urged that the ongoing investigation be conducted in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner, respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals involved.
He stressed that India, as a democratic and secular country, guarantees every citizen the right to practice their faith without fear or discrimination. “Allegations of this nature must be handled with utmost care, ensuring that no individual or community feels targeted or harassed,” he said.
Patton further expressed hope that Chhattisgarh authorities will uphold constitutional values and ensure that justice prevails through due process.
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