Mumbai, January 6: FOR the first time since a pastor and several Christians were attacked in Bhiwandi, the police have said that conversions were taking place at the municipal school hall at Padma Nagar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Sahebrao Patil said that the attacks on the pastor and other Christians on January 1 were spurred by the news that conversions were going to take place that day.

According to Patil, on January 1, newcomers were to be converted into Christianity at the municipal school. This knowledge, Patil said, triggered attacks by the mob which was against the conversions. Patil also revealed that the number of suspects arrested in the attack has gone up to 10.

Patil’s claims are contrary to the statements made by Pastor Prakash Boine and others of the Protestant community who maintain that nobody was to be converted on that day and it was just a New Year get-together beginning with a prayer and ending with lunch. Boine, who spoke to Newsline, said that the Faith Fire Fellowship church did not indulge in conversions. He said that the church only offered prayers to heal the sick.

Patil has been given charge of Bhiwandi (Zone II) as DCP D M Phadtare is on leave.