12 convicted, 46 acquitted in Kandhamal riot cases

Atleast 12 persons were convicted and 46 others acquitted in riot related cases by separate fast track courts here in Kandhamal today.

Judges of the fast track court-I and II pronounced the judgments while disposing six different cases relating to house burning and a murder incident during the ethno-communal riot in Kandhamal in 2008.

At least 38 persons were killed and over 4,800 houses and churches were damaged during the riot that took place in the aftermath of the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008.

While disposing a case of house burning at Gresingia village under G Udaygiri police station area, the fast track court judge SK Das sentenced two persons to two years imprionment and a penalty of Rs2,000 each after convicting them.

Twentyone others were acquited in the case.

Similarly, seven other persons were sentenced five years rigorous imprisonment and penalty of Rs5,000 each after they were found guilty of setting fire on houses at Sidri village under Baliguda police station area during the riot.

Three persons were also sentensed three years RI and penalty of Rs1,000 each for setting fire on houses of minority community at village Kiramaha under G Udaygiri police station area. However, in another case of house burning incident at Rudangia, 15 persons were acquitted.

The fast track court-II judge CR Das, while disposing a muder case and a house burning case, acquitted 10 persons of the charges due to lack of proper evidence against them.