ORISSA – The government has sentenced 9 people to prison and fined each $70 on charges of their connection to the anti-Christian riots in 2008, BBC reported on November 19. 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.