New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday demanded that Chhattisgarh government bring a stringent law against "illegal religious conversions" in the state, saying all efforts to stop such activities should be made within the constitutional framework.

The RSS affiliate's demand comes two days after a church was allegedly vandalised and six police personnel, including an IPS officer, were attacked and injured during a protest by a group of tribals in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur city over a suspected incident of religious conversion.

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In a statement, VHP secretary general Milind Parande said the incident has "again" underlined the need for a stringent law to stop illegal conversions in the state, and demanded that Chhattisgarh government take "serious and quick steps in this matter".

The tribals would not have had to come out on streets in protest had the state government taken steps to curb forced conversions in time, he charged.

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"Due to illegal religious conversions and fraud 'Changai' (healing) meetings, tension is increasing in the country, especially in the scheduled communities. It is, therefore, indispensable to ensure that there is no use of force, fraud and allurement to convert people," he said in a statement.

Situation is "a bit stable" in the states where there is "a stringent law" against illegal conversions is in force, he added.

"The people of Chhattisgarh have worked with determination to check such activities and the Vishva Hindu Parishad stands by them," Parande said.

"We also believe that all efforts to stop illegal conversions should be made within the ambit of the constitution and law," he added.

The VHP leader asked Chhattisgarh government and the local administration to "stand firmly" with the tribal society in the state, "instead of being seen on the same page" with those allegedly indulging in proselytisation.

"It is the supreme duty of the state government to protect the interests of the tribal society," he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)