Marad massacre: Four acquitted

Kozhikode: The Special Marad Court in Kozhikode on Thursday acquitted four persons who were among the accused in the Marad massacre of May, 2003, in which eight Hindus were chopped to death at a fishing hamlet in the district, stating that they were below 18 years of age. Acquitting them on an appeal they had submitted, Special Judge R Narayana Pisharadi said that the Prosecution had not been able to prove the charges slapped on them. The Juvenile Justice Board had in June last year sentenced them to three years’ reformation period, three years’ compulsory community service and a fine of `23,000 each.