From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 02:30 PM IST

Two pastors have been allegedly attacked in Kanpur district even as a Bajrang Dal leader accused them of beating his supporters, the Uttar Pradesh police said Monday.

Both sides lodged a first information report (FIR) with police, who were investigating the matter.

'The pastor of the New India Church of God, Jitendra Singh, approached us late Sunday night and submitted a written complaint against Ram Babu Bajpai, a local leader of the Bajrang Dal,' Govindnagar police station inspector N.K. Singh told IANS on telephone.

Jitendra Singh said Bajpai, along with a large number of his supporters, attacked him in the church compound. His wife, Helena Singh, and fellow pastor Anil Gilbert were also present, he added.

'However, Bajpai also registered an FIR against the pastor making and made similar allegations,' N.K. Singh stated.

The Bajrang Dal has alleged that the church was involved in converting Hindus to Christianity by offering them money and the pastors attacked them when its activists opposed the practice, according to its complaint.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)