Shillong [Meghalya] [India], August 1 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday wrote a letter to Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai over the arrest of two Kerala nuns, saying "religious persecution" of any kind has no place in a democratic and secular nation.
The CM Sangma condemned the arrest and demanded the withdrawal of the "false case."
The nuns from Kerala, Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethy Mary, were arrested at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh on July 25 for allegedly being involved in forceful conversion and human trafficking.
In his letter, Sangma wrote, "Religious persecution of any kind has no place in a democratic and secular nation like India." He added that such "baseless accusations" not only put the lives and freedoms of innocent individuals at risk but also "reflect a worrying pattern of religious targeting."

The Meghalaya CM urged his Chhattisgarh counterpart to "ensure that justice is served and intolerance is not tolerated." He said, "Justice must prevail. Intolerance must not."
Meanwhile, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar today said that the Chhattisgarh government has agreed not to oppose the bail applications of the two Kerala nuns.
Congress MP Anto Antony said that both have serious health problems, the issue has been raised in the Parliament, and they stood for justice for the nuns.
Speaking to ANI, Antony said, "We visited the nuns, both have serious health problems, and didn't get their medicines. They didn't get a doctor's facility. We requested the authorities to provide them with medicines and a doctor. If they get bail, they are ready to go to a hospital. There is a human rights violation. They were harassed at the railway station and police station. We asked the government to take action against those who harassed the nuns. We have already raised the issue in the Parliament. We stand for the justice for the nuns."