14 Get Jail Terms for Kandhamal Riots


Bhubaneswar, Nov 20 (IANS): A fast track court in Orissa Saturday sentenced 14 people to three years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the communal riots in Kandhamal district of the state in 2008.

Judge C.R. Das of the fast track court No. 2 at district headquarters of Phulbani sentenced seven people to three years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.4,500 each for burning down houses in Budamaha village, under Raikia police station, a defence lawyer told IANS.

The judge also sentenced seven others to three years of rigorous imprisonments and a fine of Rs.6,500 each for burning houses in Sindherigaon village, under Baliguda police station area, he said.

However, six people were acquitted of charges of burning houses at Sudeli village under G. Udayagiri police station.

Kandhamal, about 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides in his ashram Aug 23, 2008.

At least 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by mobs, who accused Christians for killing Saraswati, although police had blamed the Maoists for the ashram killings.

The state government set up two fast track courts in the district for speedy trial of the cases.

  

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Comment on this article

  • A.S.Matrhew, U.S.A.

    Sat, Nov 20 2010

    It was a sad event in the history
    of India, how the religious fanatics
    had a wild day of killing, murder
    and rape of innocent victims.

    The Naxalites killed the Swami, but
    the poor and defenseless Christians,
    and the majority of them were from
    the backward community suffered
    horrible pain and bloodshed.

    Now, the law is catching the culprits one
    at a time. These gullible culprits had a blind trust that the party backing them will save
    them from any trouble, and to be
    totally free from any legal
    encounter. But the sad factor of
    life is that the leaders who
    motivated the culprits to kill and
    burn the Christians are safe
    somewhere in a palace, planning
    about the next trouble spot.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, neermarga, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 20 2010

    Good news Mr. Judge C.R. Das
    Kindly come and take action against CM and his family.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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Title: 14 Get Jail Terms for Kandhamal Riots



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