Bhubaneswar, May 23: A local court in Nabarangpur district on Saturday sentenced 19 persons to life imprisonment in connection with the sensational Baunsabeda triple murder and arson case that had rocked the region in 2016.

The Additional District Judge Court at Umerkote pronounced the verdict after nearly a decade-long trial into the violent clashes that erupted in Baunsabeda village under Neura Gram Panchayat.

The convicted persons have been identified as Dayan Bhatra, Yogendra Bhatra, Debnath Kumbhar, Somanath Bhatra, Devi Singh Majhi, Parshuram Bhatra, Matu Bhatra, Buduram Bhatra, Budu Bhatra, Daitari Gaud, Raghu Bhatra, Ghasiram alias Ganja Harijan, Samaru alias Buti Bhatra, Madan Gaud, Kamallochana Bhatra, Nand Bhatra, Urdhab Bhatra, Ramesh Bhatra and Ravi Bhatra.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on each of the convicts, while another accused was directed to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000.

Among those convicted is former BJD Umerkote block president Devi Singh Majhi, who was absent during the pronouncement of the judgment due to illness. Seventeen convicts who were present in court were later taken into custody and sent to jail.

Additional District Judge Sunita Pattnaik delivered the judgment in the high-profile case, which stemmed from a violent land dispute in Baunsabeda village on July 16, 2016.

According to the prosecution, tensions had escalated over the alleged encroachment and cultivation of government land by Balram Harijan. Local tribal residents had reportedly opposed his farming activities on the disputed land.

The situation turned volatile after the Forest Department planted saplings on the land, which Balram was allegedly accused of uprooting. During a confrontation between villagers and Balram, violence broke out.

The prosecution alleged that Balram attacked Gurubaru Bhatra with a knife, while Ganapati Harijan allegedly slit the throat of Phagunu Bhatra, killing him on the spot. Gurubaru, who sustained critical injuries, was initially admitted to the Umerkote hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed during treatment.

Following the killings, an enraged mob allegedly surrounded Balram’s house, pelted stones, and set the house ablaze. Balram, who reportedly attempted to flee, was allegedly caught by the mob and beaten to death.

Subsequently, Odisha Police registered two separate cases in connection with the incident.