Sunday, June 12 2005 19:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Three Christian missionaries, all US nationals, were allegedly attacked by a group of people at Malad after their religious gathering was mistaken as a conversion ceremony, police said.

A group of around 40 persons attacked the congregation and assaulted the missionaries, late last night (Jun 11, 2005) when the three were holding a congregation at Malavani in suburban Malad, police said.

Two of the three missionaries, Philip Allan and Clover Edward were beaten by the mob and received injuries, police said adding, the three had come to Mumbai on June 6.

The third priest Richard Jenal was abducted but was later released, sources said.

Two persons Rajesh Keni and Bharat Kholi were arrested by the police and were later released by a local court.