A fast-track court in Godhra Wednesday sentenced 11 persons to life imprisonment for killing 11 members of a minority community in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, one of the worst-affected areas during the post-Godhra riots in 2002.

• The Gujarat Riots

The fast-track court Judge R D Thakkar sentenced prime accused Dalpa Jethabhai Baria and 10 others, including Kalu Soma, Bana Phata, Raisinh Phula, Dhana Rupa, Salam Aba, Balwant Jiva, Natwar Kalu, Ratna Kalu and Rupa to life imprisonment.

The court, which had examined over 80 witnesses in this case, however, acquitted 18 others for want of evidence.

According to advocate Siraj Malik, representing the victims, a mob on March 5, 2002, had attacked a group of minority community members who had taken shelter in a school compound in Ajwana village.

The mob, comprising people from nearby villages, armed with sharp weapons, attacked the group and and killed 11 people, including six women and two children who were thrown into a well near the school, while two elderly persons were burnt alive.