Bhopal: Christian leaders today (Feb 23, 2004) alleged that their community members were being "harassed and terrorised" by police in Alirajpur area of Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh since the recent communal violence there and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the whole episode.

"A fear psychosis has gripped Christians in Alirajpur and Amkut areas as they are being harassed and terrorised by local police personnel," Al Madha, Bishop of Bhopal Indore Diocese, told reporters.

Al Madha along with Indira Iyengar, president of Madhya Pradesh Christian Association, claimed that Government employees belonging to Christian community were the "worst victims" and they were finding it difficult to function.

While no concrete action has been taken in the case of rape and murder of a minor girl in Jhabua, as many as 37 Christians have been arrested in connection with the communal clash last month in which Seva Bharti activist Arjun Pal was killed at Amkut, they claimed.

Refuting allegations of forced conversion, Al Madha also of Church of North India said not a single complaint was lodged during the last five years in the area in this regard and "all charges levelled regarding conversion are baseless and false".

He said though Chief Minister Uma Bharti had assured a delegation of Christians that their safety, security and protection would be ensured, authorities at the local level are adopting a "repressive" approach.

"We want an impartial investigation into the matter... Let the CBI probe the entire episode," he said.