Nine acquitted of Kandhamal violence in Orissa

A fast track court today aquitted nine persons accused of indulging communal violence in Kandhamal district in Orissa in 2008.

Additional sessions Judge, (Phulbani), Sovana Kumar Das aquitted the accused due to lack of evidence.

The nine belonged to Baraganda village under Gochapara police station and were arrested on charges of house torching, unlawful assembly and other charges under Riots Act consequent upon the riots in 2008.

Altogether 891 cases had been registered in connection with the riots in the district of which 129 cases disposed of so far.

In all, 162 persons were convicted including five lifers while 682 persons were aquitted.