By IANS,
Bhubaneswar: A fast track court in Orissa Wednesday sentenced two people to six years rigorous imprisonment for the murder of a man during the communal riots in Kandhamal district in 2008.
Judge Sobhan Kumar Das of the fast track court at Phulbani town handed down the sentence to Sushanta Sahu and Tukuna Sahu for their role in the murder of Rasananda Pradhan, defence lawyer Ajit Patnaik told IANS.
Pradhan, a paralytic patient, was burnt to death when his house in Rupagaon village was set ablaze by a mob Aug 24, 2008. The court also asked the two to pay a fine of Rs.5,000 each.
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.
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 that held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing, although the police blamed the Maoists.