12 sentenced for 2008 Orissa violence

Twelve persons were sentenced to six years' imprisonment Tuesday for their involvement in the communal violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district in 2008.

A fast track court at Phulbani also fined the defendants Rs 5,000 in connection with arson, rioting and the torching of houses in Jarkinaju village, near Raikia, on 25 August 2008.

The court ordered that non-payment of the fine would result in an additional one-year jail term.

Ten others who had been accused in the case were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The killing of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati in August, 2008 triggered large scale violence against Christians.

The majority of cases relating to the 2008 violence have either been dismissed or have resulted in acquittals, including many murder cases.

Human rights activists working in the area continue to decry significant flaws in the delivery of justice.

"Justice must be done, and must be seen to be done. The aggregate of justice in the fast-track courts in Kandhamal does not inspire a sense of confidence and closure among the victims," said Dr John Dayal, a member of the government's National Integration Council (NIC).

"Many killers are roaming free, and a Member of the Legislative Assembly is at large after his conviction, because the courts seem to think he is too important to be incarcerated," he added.

Out of the total 3232 criminal complaints lodged by the victims, only 828 were registered as FIRs by the police. In many cases, the accused are let off due to lack of evidence.

"Any convictions in Kandhamal mark a step forward, and credit must also be given to the human rights defenders providing essential legal aid to victims and witnesses," said David Griffiths of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

He urged the state administration in Orissa to fight against the prevailing impunity so victims can receive justice.