Nun hacked to death in Jharkhand

KOCHI: Valsa John, a nun hailing from Vazhakkala in Ernakulam, was hacked to death by unidentified assailants at her home in Pakur district of Jharkhand on Wednesday morning.Sister Valsa John had spearheaded an anti-displacement movement against a private coal mining company at Pachwara village in Pakur district.“She had called us on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, a call from the Convent informing that she was killed at 2 am. The police suspect Maoists role in the incident” George John, elder brother of Valsa John told Express. “She had received threats from coal mafia as she had filed a case against the mining company and this year the Supreme Court took a favourable decision regarding her petition.“She always stood for the landless Adivasis and this had ignited hatred from the mining mafias. She had informed the authorities about the threat and sought security,” George said.He also alleged that mafia had been demanded ransom each month for settling the case and Valsa had denied it several time.Her family members told Express that she was in Kochi from August and returned only in the first week of October.She was the seventh child of the late John and Elikutty of Malammal House, Vazhakala.“The Convent authorities said that the her body cannot be transported to Kerala as they received it in a very bad condition. But some of the family members have already left for Jharkhand to bring the body home” George said.She was pursuing LLB and was also teaching at a school here before being transferred to Jharkhand, he said.She was working as a teacher in a school functioning for Adivasis in Jharkhand for the last 19 years. She also started dispensary for the medical requirement of the Adivasis in Dhumka.She was a member of Congregation of the Sisters of Charity Jesus and Mary.Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Syro-Malabar Church for Laity have condemned the incident and urged that the culprits should be brought to book at the earliest.