Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna Announces ‘Mission Asmita’ Initiative by UP Police
10 Accused Arrested from West Bengal, Goa, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, and UP
Funding Traced to Canada and the US; Hundreds Already Forced to Convert
Lucknow (PB): The forced conversion racket linked to ‘Changur Baba’ from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, has now revealed connections stretching from Pakistan to Canada and the US. Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna disclosed that so far, 10 individuals have been arrested from six states, including Uttarakhand. These accused were allegedly operating a widespread, organized network facilitating forced religious conversions across different parts of the country.
In a press conference held in Lucknow on Saturday, the DGP made several shocking revelations. He explained how the network particularly targeted young girls, ensnaring them in love traps before coercing them into religious conversion. To dismantle this network, Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a special operation named ‘Mission Asmita’.
As part of Mission Asmita, joint teams from the UP Police, STF (Special Task Force), and ATS (Anti-Terror Squad) have arrested 10 accused from West Bengal, Goa, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Interrogation of the arrested individuals is currently underway. The DGP revealed that preliminary investigations point to links between this network and outfits like PFI (Popular Front of India), SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India), as well as terrorist organizations operating out of Pakistan. Additionally, it is reported that these activities were receiving funding from sources in Canada and the United States. The suspects were also actively promoting radical ideologies on social media platforms.
The existence of this conversion syndicate came to light following the investigation into the disappearance of two sisters from Agra in March. Agra’s Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar stated that this gang has already facilitated the forced conversion of hundreds of individuals. Investigations further revealed that the network operated through distinct modules: one group focused on raising funds, another on radicalizing individuals, and a third on providing safe hideouts.