Dec 24, Kathmandu- As Christmas Day approaches, a gang of religious conversionists has become active in Kailali. In Lamkichuha municipality, a gang had gone to a school and started inducing students to convert to their religion.

Educational and sports materials have been distributed to encourage conversion to Christianity. More than half a dozen schools, including Shaheed Smriti Secondary School, Janaki Basic School and Janajagruti Secondary School in Lamki Chuha Municipality, have been visited and urged to convert to Christianity.

Similarly, a church pastor has been arrested on charges of visiting schools and inciting students to convert. According to Padam Bahadur Bista, Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kailali, the arrested person is Janmajya Bhattarai, pastor of the Lamki Community Church in Lamkichuha Municipality-1.

"The Lamki Area Police Office is investigating Bhattarai by extending the court's deadline for a complaint filed under the heading of religious conversion," he said. "It is alleged that Bhattarai has been visiting schools, distributing educational and sports materials, and encouraging students to convert to Christianity."