Nine convicted in Kandhamal riot case

BHUBANESWAR - A fast track court in Orissa Thursday sentenced nine people to three years in jail for rioting in Kandhamal district in 2008.

The nine were convicted for setting on fire the house of Subramanyam Naik August 25, 2008.

“Nine people were convicted and four others were acquitted. They have been given three years’ jail term each and slapped a fine of Rs.5,500,” P.K. Patra, public prosecutor, told IANS.

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, 2008.

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

The Orissa government set up two fast track courts to try the riot cases.