Prof whose hand was cut off by f'mentalists to rejoin duty

Prof T J Joseph, whose hand was chopped off by fundamentalists in 2010, was today allowed by church-run Newman college in Idukki to rejoin service on March 28, three days before his retirement.
Joseph, who was head of Malayalam department, was suspended from service following a controversy over framing of a question paper.
A fundamentalist outfit felt the sentiments of a relgious community was hurt and its followers had chopped off his right hand when he was returning to his house after Sunday mass on July 4, 2010.
The hand was later sutured back and Joseph slowly recovered from the attack.

The family was going through tough times with the sole breadwinner having no job. His wife, Salomi, (48), who stood by him during his trying times, ended her life last week as the family was facing severe financial problems.
However, within days of her death, the college decided to take him back before his retirement on March 31.
Joseph, who met the Kothamangalam Bishop today, told reporters later that he was happy with the college authorities decision.
The Bishop said Joseph would get all the benefits, but a government approval was needed.