KOTTAYAM: Four fellow nuns of the survivor in the Bishop Franco rape case were served transfer notice on Wednesday by the Mother General of Missionaries of Jesus based in Jalandhar . These nuns are currently staying with the survivor nun at the convent in Kuravilangad near Kottayam They have been asked to join the convents in Jharkhand, Punjab, Bihar and Kannur . A fifth nun is also likely to be served transfer notice soon.Meanwhile, the nuns who were served transfer notice indicated that they will defy the order and stay back in the convent in Kuravilangad. “This is like a disciplinary action against us,” said Sr Anupama, one of the nuns.“We are preparing a reply to the mother general,” she said, adding, “This is a ploy to torpedo the case and isolate the survivor nun.”Sr Alphy has been asked to return to the Pakartala community in Bihar. The letter says that she belongs to this community canonically as per her appointment. Sr Anupama has been asked to join the Chamiyari community in Punjab. Sr Ancitta has been asked to join the convent in Pariyaram in Kannur. According to the letter, though she was transferred to Jharkhand, her request on the ground of ill health seeking a posting in Kerala was considered. Sr Josephine has been asked to return to Lalmatia community in Jharkhand.Sr Regina has sent separate letters to the four. In the letters, she wrote: Accusations sans truth have been flying thick and fast in the public realm about "the lack of concern the MJ congregation was showing to the nuns who are standing for justice"."Even as you and a few other MJ members continue to feel no qualms in issuing malafide public statements and circulate baseless stories tarnishing the image of the MJ congregation and portraying the Mother General and other members as enemies of those who are fighting for their justice, I have been ensuring that the congregation continue supporting you all with food, accommodation and the cost of medical treatments required," she wrote.There was a move to oust the survivor nun and the five companion nuns from the convent citing security issues in November last year. Based on a suggestion by the Mother Superior General, Police had sought the opinion of the survivor nun about moving to a safer place under any government agencies.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kochi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.