Religious Dispute Reported in Kanker Village, Five Allegedly Assaulted

KANKER, Chhattisgarh, September 23, 2026: A dispute linked to religious conversion has been reported in Bhandardigi village of Durgukondal block in Kanker district, with allegations that a family was forced to leave the village and that its household belongings were thrown out.

According to the Progressive Christian Alliance (PCA), five people were allegedly assaulted in connection with the incident and later admitted to Durgukondal Hospital for medical treatment. The organisation said police facilitated their admission for primary care.

Those identified by the PCA as having been assaulted are Vikash Salam, 24; Somji Nureti, 40; Naraj Nureti, 30; Pradeep Uike, 25; and Rohan Nureti, 11.

The allegations have prompted the intervention of police and civil administration officials, who visited the village to assess the situation, gather information and monitor law and order. Bhandardigi is a village in Durgukondal tehsil of Kanker district. 

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Officials reported to be present included Bhanupratappur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gangadhar Vahile, Kanker Deputy Superintendent of Police Akash Shrimal, Durgukondal Tehsildar Surendra Urvasha, Durgukondal station in-charge Sunil Dubey and Bhanupratappur station in-charge Ambar Singh Bhardwaj.

The PCA said the incident should be investigated through due legal and administrative processes. It cited the constitutional guarantees of freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional restrictions.

The organisation appealed to the administration to conduct an impartial inquiry, ensure the safety of the affected family and prevent violence, intimidation, forced eviction or social pressure linked to religious belief.

The allegations made by the PCA could not be independently verified from the information available. Administrative and police authorities were reported to be monitoring the situation and gathering details.

The development comes amid reports of continuing tensions in Bhandardigi over religious conversion. A report published on September 22 said 18 members of three families had returned to their previous faith amid the dispute, although details of the underlying allegations remained under inquiry.

Simon Digbal Tandi

Progressive Christian Alliance