Kandhamal riots: Fast Track sentences 6 for 3-yr RI

orissaThe fast-track court in Kandhamal on Tuesday sentenced six persons to three years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 4,000 each in a case relating to the communal riot in the district last year.

Pronouncing the judgement, public prosecutor P. K. Patra said: “Six persons have been awarded rigorous punishment and Rs 4,000 fine.”

However, a fast track court at Phulbani acquitted five other accused for lack of evidence.

The accused were booked for burning houses of Christians at Mundasahi village under Phiringia police station area on January 9, 2008.

It should be mentioned that Kandhamal district, about 200 km from the state capital, Bhubaneswar saw widespread violence after the murder of a Hindu radical group leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati at his ashram August 23 last year.

As a result over 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs.