ASIA/INDIA - Seven people were arrested for Sister Valsa’s murder; an activist: "With regards to the Dalits’ rights, the state has betrayed the Church"

Dumka (Agenzia Fides) - Seven people were arrested by the police in the Indian state of Jharkhand, suspected of being involved in Sister Valsa John’s murder, the nun of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary killed at her home in the district of Pakur on the evening of November 15 (see Fides 17/11/2011). According to Arun Oraon, general inspector of the local police, the murder may be the work carried out by "suspected Maoists, together with the inhabitants of the village" where the nun lived, who "would have benefited from the proceedings of the mining companies", operating in the area.
"We are confident in the work of the investigators, so that justice is done. We will wait and see. We know that the nun had played a decisive role in the agreement between the tribal people and the Panem mining company, in order for the parties to agree, even if some did not like the agreement", comments to Fides Fr. Nirmal Raj, Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Dumka. The Jesuits worked with Sister Valsa in the pastoral of tribal people and now, the Provincial notes, "we are trying to reorganize the pastoral work, after her premature death".
According to a statement sent to Fides by the Catholic John Dayal, Secretary General of the "All India Christian Council" (AICC), an ecumenical organization that defends human rights and freedom of religion, "the State, which is complicit because it is one of the mining group’s partners, must arrest the culprits, and guarantee even the safety of the activists". In addition, Dayal continues, "the State has betrayed the Church on the issue of rights for Dalit Christians".
For the Church and the Christian community, the murder also touches " the critical dimension of the mission". "The Church - remarks the Secretary of the AICC - cannot afford to withdraw, or be frightened by this increasing pressure, which asks her to focus on faith and to leave social action to others. The Church, after Sister Valsa’s sacrifice, will take up the courage to continue to act according to the principles of love and truth behind the Church's social doctrine".
Finally, notes Dayal, "for civil society, Sister Valsa’s murder is also part of another chain. Three other social activists have been killed this year. People know that where there are coal mines, the tribal people have been displaced and decimated. Even Sister Valsa knew this". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2011)