Assam: Two US nationals detained, fined for alleged participation in ‘religious meet’

Both accused have been charged with the fine of $500 and released thereafter.

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Edited By: Sonia Dham
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Two United States nationals have been detained and fined for $500 in Assam’s Sonitpur district for allegedly participating in a ‘religious meet’ while in India on tourist visa.

According to the sources, Madhurima Das, the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sonitpur said that the police has informed the Foreigner Regional Registration Office in Kolkata of their alleged violation of visa norms. The officer further said that there is a possibility that the US nationals will be issued Leave-India notices.

The two US nationals who have been identified as John Matthew Boone and Michael James Flinchum, had attended the inauguration of a Baptist Christian association office on January 31. They both have been charged with the fine of $500 and released thereafter.

It is worth to be noted that the detention of two US nationals has come days after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke about protecting ‘indigenous faiths’ from conversion activities as he spoke at the 8th International Conference and Gathering of Elders organized by the International Centre for Cultural Studies in Dibrugarh.