Police arrest seven for nun murder, 20 still at large

The police on Sunday arrested seven people for their alleged involvement in the murder of Sr Valsa John at Pakur district in Jharkhand last week.

The Dumka inspector general of police, Arun Oraon, on Sunday told reporters at a press conference that villagers in connivance with the Maoists had killed the activist nun on Tuesday night when she was in her sleep.

About 35 to 40 armed men owing allegiance to CPI (Maoist) on Tuesday surrounded Sr John's rented house and hacked her to death.

Sources said the killers attacked using work tools like spades, scythes and axes.

The murder took place in Bachuwari village of Pakur district where the 52-year-old nun had been staging protests over the displacement of tribals because of a private coal mine.

According to Oraon, Sr John's associates started to develop greed for money and opposed her when she came back to Pakur on Nov. 7 after a break of 30 months.

John, who hails from Kerala's Ernakulam district, was also posing a threat to the Maoists who saw her a stumbling block in the expansion of their activities in the area, he said.

He also linked the murder to the recent rape of an associate of John and her demand for registration of a police case.

"John was pushing for a first information report (FIR) against the rapists. The rapists hatched the conspiracy with the villagers to kill her. The rape accused have been arrested and they have confessed to the murder," the officer was quoted by IANS, as saying.

Seven of those villagers have been arrested, including Advin Murmu, who is also accused of raping the associate of Sr John.

The names of the seven arrested are: Advin Murmu, Pycil Hembrom, Prem Turi, Tala Marandi, Rakesh Turi, Rajan Marandi, and Pradhan Murmu. All belong to Pachuara and adjoining Alubeda villages. At least 30 others are still at large.

Oraon said the Maoists were unable to get a foothold in the area where John worked and saw her as a hindrance. "They provoked the villagers to take the lead. The incident is an eye opener for us as far as tackling the Maoist menace is concerned," the IG said.

The nun, who hails from Kerala, had earlier faced several death threats from the mining mafia after she intensified her protest for the local tribal community.

Churches and human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the brutal murder and have demanded a CBI probe.

The funeral of Sr John, who was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary congregation, took place in the cathedral of Dumka on Nov. 17.

On Friday, a candle light vigil was held outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi in honor of the Christian activist. A large crowd of wellwishers joined friends and church associates to pay their respects.