Two convicted of murder during Kandhamal riots

Two persons were sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment by a fast track court today for killing of a man and a woman during the 2008 communal riots in Orissa's Kandhamal district.

While convicting Netramani Pradhan and Bamadev Pradhan, fast track court Judge SK Das sentenced them to six years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs5,000 each.

The court pronounced its judgment while disposing a case relating to the killing of Ramamani Naik, wife of Christodas Naik, and Lalaji Naik of Rudangia village under G Udaygiri police station area.

The victims were dragged out of their houses by a mob of about 50 people on September 30, 2008 and killed on the road. The local police had framed charges against 33 people of whom two were convicted.

Among the 31 persons who were acquitted due to lack of proper evidence included BJP MLA from G Udaygiri Manoj Kumar Nayak.

The MLA, however, is presently languishing inside the jail on charge of another murder incident.