Chennai: Fifteen persons, including three women belonging to a minority outfit, suspected to be involved in converting Dalits to Islam, were taken in custody at Nelikuppam in Cuddalore district late last night (Oct 28, 2004), police said.

The group, the Manitha Neethi Pasarai (Human Justice Front), was also reportedly involved in imparting training in weapons and martial arts to the converts.

Some sickles, daggers, cell phones with Arabic numerals, audio and videocassettes, cameras, digital dairies, documents and cash to the tune of Rs 85,000 from them.

Police said that they were considering detaining them under the National Security Act.

They said that the group had been operating in the town for the last several months. The outfit is part of an institution, 'Arivagam' at Muthudevanapatti in Theni district, they said.

The outfit reportedly has connections with other minority groups in North India and in Jammu and Kashmir and is said to receive funds from abroad.