Tension erupted in Allahabad during the ongoing religious congregation Magh Mela after Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists bashed up a group of Christian missionaries, including three women, who were allegedly distributing 'blasphemous literature'.

The incident took place at the Parade Ground, where four Christian missionaries were distributing pamphlets propagating their faith.

"When the news reached the VHP's camp situated nearby, a volunteer was sent to fetch a copy of the pamphlet and to our horror we found all sorts of blasphemous things about Hinduism," senior VHP leader Manoj Srivastava said.

"We rushed there and caught hold of the missionaries and gave them a good thrashing before handing them over to the police," he said.

However, Circle Officer of Magh Mela Rajesh Kumar said that no case had been registered against the missionaries, who were let off after a warning "as the offence was not of a grave nature and the episode also involved women".

Meanwhile, the VHP is determined to step up pressure on the Mela administration for taking stern action against the missionaries.

"We demand that the missionaries be booked under National Security Act. Their pamphlets had many derogatory references to the Ganga, the river which is considered holy by millions of Hindus world over. They were audacious enough to distribute such literature at the Magh Mela," Srivastava said.