Monday 21 November 2011

Sister Valsa John Murdered in Jharkhand




Sister Valsa John went to Jharkhand to work with tribal people Police in India's Jharkhand state are looking at the possible involvement of Maoist rebels in the murder of a nun who campaigned for tribal rights.

Sister Valsa John was killed after about 50 people broke into her home last week. Police say that Maoist pamphlets were left at the crime scene.
They said that rebels were finding it hard to infiltrate the area where the nun had considerable influence.

More than a dozen villagers have been detained in connection with the murder.
Initially, the police said they believed the Maoist pamphlets were left at the crime scene to mislead investigators.
But after interrogating the detained villagers, police say they believe that rebels were behind the murder.

"She was a major block in their [Maoists'] way," senior police officer Arun Oraon told the BBC Hndi's Salman Ravi.
"Therefore, the Maoists fanned all the resentment against her. They provoked the villagers to resort to such an extreme step," he said.

Sister John's brother, however, says she recently spoke of threats from a "mining mafia". There has been no word from mining officials.
Some reports said that Sister John had also angered a group of tribal people by going to the police to file a complaint after a local woman was allegedly raped. The tribesmen wanted the issue to be settled out of court.
Mr Oraon said the police were investigating all these angles.

Sister Valsa, originally from Kerala, was working with the Missionaries of Charity and had gone to Jharkhand to work with tribespeople.

Our correspondent says she later took up the cause of tribal people displaced by mining around Pakur, about 400km (250 miles) north-east of the state capital Ranchi.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

(news  source  BBC  News  Service)

10 Fertilize my soul:

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Blessed, who died believing in Lord. World always hates God's children. Maybe we will meet her in New Jerusalem.

Amrita said...

Yes we will meet her in the New Jerusalem. Martyrs have a special honor in God 's kingdom

Amrita said...

My BIL Prem, sent this comment

Martyred for her Faith,what a courageous Saint Of God.

Anonymous said...

so sorry to hear about this..there have been more martyrs than ever before....am praying for Jesus to return soon...Maranatha!

Julia Dutta said...

India has reached a state of anarchy Amrita. There is no law! In fact the police has failed because no point saying that the Maoist found her an obstruction in their "work"; if you knew that then you ought to have given her protection!!
It is a shame that one after another Christian souls are being rooted out of areas where no one from any other religion has even cared to educate and work with the poorest of poor. I really don't know what to say except hang my head in utter shame and disbelief that the Government machinery fails again and again!
Julia

David Edward said...

Psalm 2
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”

Pia said...

this is a sad story... there are a lot like sister valsa john. their reward is in heaven... for sure... waiting for them.

Vilisi said...

This is truly sad.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Another martyr killed for the cause of the Lord. Her martyrdom is not in vain though since the cause of the Lord will eventually prevail in India. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.

JI said...

Sad to hear this news. I don't buy the story of the police. They are obviously trying to shield the real culprits.