Death threats, extortion attempts and quarrels had been shattering the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in India, days and weeks before a nun was assaulted and raped by thieves.

Police and school officials said the death threats started coming in about three weeks ago, just days after the nuns had a squabble with a father of a boy who was expelled. The student was expelled for posting photos of a girl online and making lewd comments about her on Facebook. 

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The threats were made through anonymous calls, and the unidentified caller had been demanding for money. 

Police are now trying to establish a link between the boy's expulsion, the threats and Friday night's attack, when a 75-year-old nun was grabbed and raped by a thief. 

"This is a well-planned attack and conspiracy cannot be ruled out," said a police officer in Ranaghat who refused to be named citing the sensitivity of the case.

The officer also revealed that conflict in religion is also being pursued as a possible motive of the crime.

On Friday, about ten thieves broke into the convent and proceeded to a room where the nuns were sleeping. Two attackers grabbed the 75-year-old nun who was handling the school's money and demanded the keys to a cabinet.

When the nun refused to give the key, she was raped by an attacker. The other nuns were threatened to suffer the same unless they turn over gold and cash.

Nine suspects have been detained, but no charges have been filed. 

The series of untoward events placed the convent in total shock after living in peace for the past 19 years teaching children. The attack also tells of two major social problems in India --- violence against women and attacks against Christian minority.

A woman is reportedly being raped in India every 21 minutes. Reports of domestic violence and molestation against women were also common.

Meanwhile, half a dozen Christian churches have been damaged by vandals in the past three months, as campaign to convert Islam and Christianity to Hinduism had been growing. 

TagsIndia rape, nun rape, Violence Against Women