Date:20/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/20/stories/2003012007771100.htm

National

Police looking into American missionary's activities

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JAN. 19. Police here are verifying whether there has been any visa violation on the part of the American missionary, Joseph Cooper, who was attacked by suspected RSS workers at a Protestant convention near a tribal colony at Puliyam in Kilimanoor, on Monday last.

Police sources said that a "Leave India" notice would be issued against Mr. Cooper if he was found guilty of any visa violation. The Union Home and External Affairs Ministries have asked the State home department for a detailed report on Mr. Cooper's activities in Kerala, the sources added.

Police are also collecting intelligence on the activities of certain "gospel groups" suspected of upsetting communal peace by conducting conversion campaigns among the Dalits and tribal communities in the rural parts of the State and whether they were getting any foreign funding.

Mr. Cooper, the sources said, was travelling on a multiple entry tourist visa issued by the External Affairs Ministry in 2000 which allowed him to visit the country as many times as he wanted till 2010. However, his period of stay should not extend more than 180 days at a time.

An official said that a foreigner travelling on a tourist or student visa was not permitted to speak at religious meetings. "The visa holder can practise any faith he wants. But preaching and professing the faith at public functions would constitute a visa violation according to a Central Government notification issued in 1995."

On the missionary's activities, he said: "We know that he arrived at Mumbai on January 4. He was at Changanassery on January 13. He has been to several places in Kottayam, including Vazhathanam. One of the visits was to the house of a friend and pastor who was killed in an accident. His other activities while in Kerala are being probed".