Shillong, August 1, 2025: National People's Party (NPP) President Conrad K. Sangma has written to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, seeking his urgent intervention in the detention of two nuns from Kerala under what the party calls “false charges and right-wing pressure.”
In the letter dated July 31, Sangma raised concerns over the July 26 incident where Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethy Mary, both working at Fatima Hospital in Agra, were detained by police at Durg Railway Station. The nuns were reportedly accompanying three girls from Chhattisgarh to Agra when a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) found that the girls didn’t have valid tickets and raised suspicion. Local activists, alerted by the TTE, accused the nuns of attempting forced religious conversion, leading to their arrest.
Calling the incident a case of harassment, Sangma urged the Chief Minister to ensure a fair investigation, safeguard the rights of religious minorities in the state, and consider revoking the charges against the nuns. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.
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“This matter deserves urgent attention to uphold the principles of justice and religious freedom,” Sangma stated.
The NPP leadership has reiterated its commitment to constitutional rights and protection for all religious communities.
