MUVATTUPUZHA: T J Joseph, the teacher of Thodupuzha Newman College, who was attacked by fundamentalists exactly a year ago on July 4 is still having a harrowing time.
With no source of income, Joseph is finding it hard to make both ends meet. Joseph has to take care of his two children, wife and an aged mother.
With repeated surgeries and intensive physiotherapy exercises, his condition has improved and his left hand has recovered 70 per cent. But his right hand is still paralysed. During the past one year, he has learnt to write and also to drive his car with his left hand. Joseph said his rebirth was possible owing to the timely financial help of friends and wellwishers.
Though he survived the trauma of the assault, some problems are still haunting him. Like the case registered against him for inciting communal violence. The principal, the DTP operator who printed it and the person who distributed it among the students were left out while registering the case, Joseph says. His appeal against his suspension is pending before the University Appellate Tribunal. Joseph has also plans to write a book on his horrifying experiences. Meanwhile, the police have stepped up his personal security in the wake of the first anniversary of the attack. Ten more armed police personnel have been included in his security team, Muvattupuzha DySP Tomy Sebastian said.
The incident gained national attention when the police team probing the attack unearthed the role of antinational elements behind the attack. The investigating officers were shocked to find that the accused were hardcore fundamentalists having international network and backing. The terrorists had units in all towns and villages in the state and various parts of the country, forcing the NIA to take over the case. The state police and the NIA booked many accused in this connection. Some of the accused are still absconding.
