Nine Santhal christians reconverted

Baripada, Mar 8 (UNI) It was a reconversion ceremony in this tribal -dominated Mayurbhanj district without the involvement of the Viswa Hindu Parishad(VHP).

The simple ceremony was organised by the Santhal tribals themselves at Kumbhakoili, a remote tribal village under Khunta block in the district.

Nine members of two Santhal families, who had earlier embraced Christianity, reembraced the ''Saarna'' religion of the Santhals yesterday.

The entire process of reconversion was conducted under the initiative of Surai Hembrom, chief of the Viswa SaarnaParishad (VSP) and the reconversion was performed in the presence of Santhal's social head Ratan Murmu, popularly called ''Majhi Haalam''.

While Murmu approved the homecoming of the reconverted Santhals into the ''Saarna'' fold, the priest sprinkled ''Tulasi'' water on them as a token of their purification.

UNI XC DP SJC SKM1742