Nine imprisoned for India riots

Nine people have been convicted and sent to prison in connection with the anti-Christian riots in the eastern Indian state of Orissa last year.

A local court acquitted five others, including a legislator from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who were accused of rioting.

The violence in Kandhamal district left at least 40 people dead and more than 25,000 homeless.

The riots followed the killing of a Hindu religious leader and four others.

A fast-track court in Orissa sent nine people to "rigorous imprisonment" and fined them 3,500 rupees ($70) each in a case of arson during the riots.

Five others, including BJP lawmaker Manoj Pradhan, were acquitted for a lack of evidence.

A case was filed against the 14 men for burning down the house of a resident of Kandhamal in August last year.

Kandhamal district witnessed weeks of anti-Christian violence after a Hindu leader was shot dead.

The clashes erupted after hardline Hindu groups blamed Christians for the killing.

The government set up two fast-track courts to deal speedily with cases relating to the riots.