The circular was issued recently by the PHQ, directing all police stations in the state to profile the churches and their source of funding, schools run by the community, political leanings among others, officials said.

The move attracted sharp criticism from the community whose leaders met state Director General of Police S K Raut to register their protestm following which the PHQ ordered immediate withdrawal of the circular, they said.

Meanwhile, terming the issue as serious, spokesperson for Catholic Bishops Conference of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Father Anand Muttangal, demanded a probe in the matter. He also wanted to know the purpose behind issuing such a circular.

"It appears there was some ulterior motive behind the issuance of such a circular," he said. PHQ officials said the circular has been withdrawn but refused to share details about it.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sought a report on the matter, they said.