Nun murder case: Police protecting real killers [Sister Valsa John buried]

Ranchi: Seven days have passed since Sister Valsa Jhon, a Nun from Kerala who was part of a group campaigning against the coal mafia, was gunned down by a group of unidentified men in Pakur, Jharkhand. Though the police on Monday arrested seven suspects, but they are still not sure if it's the mafia or local villagers who are behind the murder.


"The villagers were unhappy that she was about to expose them in a rape case," said Arun Kumar Oraon, IG, Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand.


Valsa's supporters aren't for the moment buying the police's explanation. They believe it's a much larger conspiracy involving the highly influential coal mafia hand in glove with the police. 


"We had gone their after she was killed. The police is threatening us. I am sure this is the work of the coal mafia," said Gopi Ghosh, a supporter of Sister Valsa.


Valsa killing created a ripple in the coal belt and strong protests followed for nabbing those responsible. The immediate needle of suspicion was pointed towards the coal mafias and big coal companies, whose business interests got hampered time to time by Valsa's agitation. 


"There should be a CBI enquiry," said Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai.


By suggesting the villagers killed Valsa because she was about to expose them in a rape case, the police it seems have pointedly refused to explore other possibilities. Read more