Ranchi, July 17: Social activist Swami Agnivesh was on Tuesday assaulted by fringe groups during a press conference in Pakur area of Jharkhand. Agnivesh said that he has been told that BJYM and ABVP workers were part of the mob who beat him up. "I am alive by god's grace. It was a murderous assault on me. Don't know the reason why they beat me," Agnivesh said while speaking to CNN-News18.

According to reports, the attackers also tore Agnivesh's clothes while beating him up. The BJYM workers were reportedly protesting against Agnivesh's visit to the region saying he was trying to incite the tribals in Pakur.

The BJYM workers reportedly accused Agnivesh of being hand-in-glove with Christian missionaries to incite tribals in the area. They shouted "Agnivesh go back" slogans outside the hotel where Agnivesh was staying. They reportedly attacked him as soon as he stepped out of the hotel.

"There was no police personnel present there. Even when I repeatedly called SP & DM they didn't turn up. I was told that ABVP & BJP Yuva Morcha workers want to protest. I told them there's no need to protest, they can come in & talk. No one came in at that time," Agnivesh said.

"When I left from there, they suddenly attacked & hurled abuses at me. I want that they be identified from CCTV footage & video available with media & action be taken against them," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2018 03:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).