Orissa CM: 132 convicted in riot cases

The Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik on Monday disclosed that 132 people were convicted in different trial cases in connection to the violence against Christians in Kandhamal.

Patnaik divulged the number of convicted persons while responding to a question in the assembly. The BJD leader also said 24 activists belonging to the Bajrang Dal and VHP were arrested and lodged at jails for their involvement in the riots.

Meanwhile, a fast track court in Phulbani freed nine persons in a case relating to the 2008 violence.

The accused nine persons were acquitted by Additional Sessions Judge Chittranjan Das due to lack of evidence.

All the nine were arrested in Tikabali for setting fire to a church on August 28, 2008 after violence broke out in Kandhamal.

The acquittal has come less than a month after a prime-accused in the violence, Manoj Pradhan, was sentenced to seven years in prison for a murder case.

The BJP legislator was sentenced to seven years "rigorous imprisonment" for the murder of a Dalit Christian on August 27, 2008.