An Indian fast-tract court in Orissa state Wednesday sentenced five people to life imprisonment for murdering a pastor in Kandhamal violence against Christians a year ago.

Additional Sessions Judge Sobhan Kumar Das of the Fast-track Court - I at district headquarters of Phulbani sentenced Sabita Pradhan, Papu Pradhan, Abinash Pradhan, Dharmaraj Pradhan and Mania Pradhan to life imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs.5,000 each on them, special public prosecutor B.K. Pattnaik was quoted as saying by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).

The court found them guilty of killing Akbar Digal, a pastor of a Baptist church at Tatamaha village, on Aug 26 last year.

So far, 17 people have been convicted, including the five persons, in the Kandhamal Riots case. In the past, the fast-tract courts had sentenced 12 people to rigorous imprisonment ranging from four to six years; but this is the first time the court has slapped the convicts to life imprisonment. The two fast-tract courts - I and II are set up by the government to try cases related to anti-Christian violence that erupted in August 2008.

The anti-Christian violence broke out in Orissa after a Hindu fundamentalist - Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Laxmananda Saraswati, was murdered in August 2008. Hindus blamed Christians for killing Saraswati even though Maoist rebels had publicly claimed responsibility for the murder.

Following the swami’s death, Hindu mobs attacked Christians, burning their homes, shops, churches and orphanages. More than 30,000 Christians from Orissa were forced to take shelter in refugee camps under fear for further attacks.

About 4,500 Christian homes were burned and 180 churches destroyed. At least 60 Christians were killed, according to the Orissa government’s report, but church leaders in Orissa report higher figures and have accused the government of intentionally undercounting the number of deaths.

As much as 10,000 people were named in 827 cases registered during the August riots. Chargesheet has already been filed in 437 cases and investigation was on in other 354 cases, including the nun’s rape.

The two Fast Tract Courts are expected to deliver more verdicts in the coming days.