IANS

Bhubaneswar, Dec 12: A fast track court in Orissa Friday convicted five people to four years' jail term each in a Kandhamal riot case, an official here said.

"Five people have been convicted in one case. Each has been awarded a jail term of four years and a fine of Rs.4,000 each," said P.K. Patra, public prosecutor.

The case relates to an elderly woman, Kiaphula Digal, of Tenela village under G. Udaygiri police station filing a case against 10 people accusing them of torching her house on Aug 28, 2008," said Patra.

All the five were awarded punishment under sections 454, 436 and 147 of the Indian Penal Code by Fast Track Court-II judge C.R. Das. However, five others were let off for want of evidence.

Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23 last year.

More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, which held Christians responsible for Saraswati's killing, although police blamed the Maoists.

The government has set up two fast track courts to try cases related to the communal violence.