OST Bureau

Phulbani, Oct 3:

As anticipated, the Additional district and sessions judge, Phulbani, Rajendra Kumar Tosh today sentenced all the eight persons convicted in the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates, to life imprisonment, a fine of Rs 10,000 each and an additional 18 months in prison in case of non-payment of the fine.
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Security has been tightened in Kandhamal district since Wednesday ahead of pronouncement of judgment.

"Twenty platoons of armed force have been deployed in the district. Besides sensitive areas, they are guarding temples, churches and the district judge court at Phulbani," Kandhamal ASP Govinda Mallick said.

The killing of the VHP leader had triggered widespread ethno-communal riots in the district, leaving at least 38 dead and rendering thousands homeless.

Besides Maoist Pulari Rama Rao alias Udaya, the other persons convicted in the killing are Duryodhana Sunamajhi, Munda Badamajhi, Sanatana Badamajhi, Ganath Chalanseth, Bijaya Kuamr Sanaseth, Bhaskar Sunamjhi and Budhadev Nayak who belonged to villages under Kotagarh and Tumudibandh police station limits. The court, however, acquitted Somanath Dandasena alias Jadu of Chandraput in Rayagada district for lack of evidence.

The Crime Branch had filed chargesheet against 14 people. While nine of them were arrested, five others, including Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, are on the run, sources said.