18 convicted, 64 acquitted in Kandhamal riot cases

Eighteen persons were convicted and 64 acquitted by two fast track courts here today in cases relating to Kandhamal riots.

While fast track court-I Judge SK Das acquitted all the 40 accused persons in four different house burning incidents during the 2008 riots, fast track court-II Judge CR Das convicted 18 persons and acquitted 24 others.

Das pronounced two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs2,000 each to 10 persons accused of setting fire to a church in Gamokia village under Baliguda police station area on December 24, 2007.

One person was convicted and another acquitted by the judge in a house burning case of August 28, 2008 at Gadringia village under Tikabali police station. The man was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment and asked to pay a fine of Rs6,500 for the crime.

In the case of another house burning incident at Batabahal village under Gochhapada police station area, five persons were convicted and eight acquitted. The five persons were sentenced to four years of RI and slapped with Rs6,500 fine.

While disposing of another house burning case from Raiguda village under Gochhapada police station, the judge found two persons guilty and acquitted 15.

The convicted persons were sentenced two years of RI and asked to pay a fine of Rs2,500 each.