Sitamarhi, Bihar: A fast track court here sentenced all15 people convicted in 1998 Sitamarhi collectorate shootout to 10 years in prison.
The attack on the collectorate and the subsequent police firing had left five persons dead.
Those convicted include BJP MLA Ram Naresh Yadav, former JD(U) MP from Sitamarhi Nawal Kishore Rai, former Sheohar MP and RJD leader Anwarul Haq, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) district president Ram Lashan Singh Kushwaha and general secretary Mohan Kumar Singh.
Pronouncing the verdict on Tuesday, Fast Track Court judge Mohammad Irshad Alam held them guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 307 (attempt to murder), 322 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon).
The case pertains to an incident on August 11, 1998 when the convicted political leaders led a huge crowd after severe floods in the district to demonstrate at Sitamarhi collectorate.
The demonstration turned violent and the people participating in it ransacked the premises, indulged in stone throwing and attacked government officials working there.
The police had to resort to lathicharge and firing to control the situation. Five persons were killed in the police action.
The then Sitamarhi district magistrate Ramnandan Prasad and superintendent of police Paresh Saxena had registered an FIR against 60 persons at Dumra police station. However, 45 of them were set free by the court in the absence of proof.
With agency input
