8 convicted in Kandhamal riots case

PHULBANI: A  fast-track court at Phulbani has convicted eight persons for their  involvement in the 2008 Kandhamal riots case. Belonging to Raibhanja village under Tikabali police limits, they were sentenced to five-year rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5,000 each.They were involved in torching the houses of Christians of the same village during the riots. The riots occurred in Kandhamal in the aftermath of the killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati at the Jalespata Ashram on August 23, 2008.