103 accused in Colonelganj communal riots acquitted

Nineteen years after 135 people were killed in the Colonelganj communal riots, a court here acquitted all 103 accused in the case after the 14 eyewitnesses turned hostile.

Additional Session Judge R C Mishra acquitted the 103 yesterday.

Communal riots broke out in Colonelganj town on September 30, 1990, following dispute over immersion of a statue. The riots later spread to adjoining areas, including Paraspur, Katra and Kotwali rural, leaving 135 people dead.

As many as 106 people were chargesheeted by the police for rioting, arson, loot and murder. During the course of the trial three accused and some eyewitnesses had died.