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Seven arrested; Naxal hand suspected
Police on Sunday arrested seven people for the killing of activist nun Sister Valsa John at Pachuara village under Amrapara police station jurisdiction and cracked the murder mystery claiming that the CPI (Maoist) was the main conspirator in the incident.
Advin Murmu, Ranjan Marandi, Pradhan Hembram, Rakesh Turi, all hailing from Aloobera village, and Paisal Hembram, Prem Turi, Tala Hembram, all from Pachura village, were arrested. They were responsible for thrashing and hacking Sr Valsa to death.
The Pioneer had reported on November 16 that Maoists had masterminded the murder of the nun-turned-social activist. The immediate reason behind the murder, as revealed by the accused, is the pursuance of the case of a rape victim by Sister Valsa.
A total of 30 armed men of CPI (Maoist) escorted 15 villagers of Meral Tola, Aloobera and Pachuara villages to the house of Sonaram Hembram at Pachuara village on Tuesday night to kill Sister Valsa, where she was staying on rent.
The armed squad of CPI (Maoist) was led by newly-appointed area commander Ramesh Oraon hailing from Bargo village. It was assisted by squad members of Paharia tribal and Maoist zonal commander Ramlal Rai.
Ramlal Rai is the son of veteran Maoist leader, Badri Rai, currently lodged in Dumka jail. “Maoists were banking on the resentment among villagers against Sister Valsa John’s support to a 20-year-old, who was allegedly raped on November 7 by Advin Murmu. Murmu had earlier been spurned by her,” IG (Dumka range) Arun Oraon said.
The woman was picked up from a weekly market by Advin Murmu and allegedly raped. Sister Valsa took up the matter to the police and had even approached the deputy commissioner after police refused to lodge the rape case. Amrapara officer in-charge Banarsi Prasad was later suspended for not lodging the rape case.
“Residents of Aloobera village to which Advin Murmu belonged were angry with Sister Valsa for having police intervene in a matter which could have been sorted out by the villagers, themselves. Maoists in the area exploited the resentment of villagers. They even provoked them to eliminate her,” Oraon said.
Maoists were on the lookout to spread their base in Pakur area since 2004 and have even backed several agitation by Sister Valsa against Panem Coal Mining Company. “When Sister Valsa became a member of the committee to ensure rehabilitation package to villagers after the Supreme Court order, Maoists’ intentions to spread base took a beating,” said Oraon.
Maoist area commander Ramesh Oraon was responsible for setting two road construction machines on fire near Bargo village a fortnight ago. Chief Minister Arjun Munda had ordered probe into the murder of Sister Valsa, who hailed from Kerala’s Ernakullam district and fought for tribals’ rights in Santhal Pargana.
Several human rights groups and organisations including Amnesty International, activists and individuals, with Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy among them, have demanded probe into the murder.
