Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113051480300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Vizhinjam riots: 83 persons acquitted

Staff Reporter

Of the 359 witnesses, all except the official witness had turned hostile
Two of the accused are absconding and
one person died

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram First Additional Sessions Judge P. Somarajan has acquitted 83 persons accused in the communal riots in Vizhinjam in May 1995. Two persons had died and 30 others injured in the riots between fisher folk of two different communities.

In his judgement on Saturday, the Judge noted that the 83 persons were being acquitted as the prosecution had failed to prove the charges. Of the 359 witnesses, all except the official witness had turned hostile, the court noted. The weapons used during had also not been produced, the Judge noted.

As many as 95 persons were booked by the police on various charges including murder, conspiracy, rioting and arson.

The charge against nine persons is yet to be transferred from the Neyattinkara court. Two of the accused are absconding and one person had died. The trial in the case commenced in August this year following the intervention of the High Court.

According to the prosecution, the incident that led to the communal riots occurred on May 14, 1995 when around 500 fishermen of a particular community set ablaze 400 huts and vandalised scores of boats and fishing gear belonging to those of another community.

The police had to open fire to disperse the mob. Additional Public Prosecutor S. Vijayakumaran appeared for the prosecution.