Jharkhand missionary school principal critically injured in attack

Father Benedict Barla, the principal of RC Boys Middle School in the Khunti district of Jharkhand, was found critically injured on the school premises on Wednesday morning. Barla, a priest associated with St. Michael’s Cathedral, was discovered unconscious and bleeding in his office around 8:30 am.

CCTV footage reportedly shows three masked individuals arriving on a motorcycle around 9:00 pm on Tuesday. Police are currently investigating whether the attack occurred late Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday. Barla was initially treated at Khunti Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Pulse Hospital in Ranchi for specialized care due to his deteriorating condition.

In response to the incident, hundreds of members from tribal and Christian communities staged protests in Khunti, blocking the Ranchi-Khunti-Chaibasa road. Protesters are demanding the immediate arrest of the suspects and a thorough investigation. Local police, including Superintendent Rishabh Garg, are examining evidence and surveillance footage to identify the assailants and establish a motive.