India, Jan. 22 -- More than two weeks after a pastor was allegedly assaulted in a village in Odisha's Dhenkanal district, the police on Thursday said they have detained nine people and are questioning them to ascertain their role in the incident.

Dhenkanal superintendent of police Abhinav Sonkar said they learnt about the January 4 incident only after the pastor's wife filed a complaint. According to the complaint lodged by Vandana Naik on January 13, her husband, pastor Bipin Naik, was assaulted by a mob allegedly led by Bajrang Dal members. She alleged that 15-20 people stormed a house where Naik was conducting a prayer meeting with seven Christian families, assaulted him, smeared vermillion on him, paraded him wearing a garland of sho...