Two waves of communal violence hit Kandhamal in 2007 and 2008, mainly against Christians. At least 39 died in 2008; about 54,000 were displaced.
Reportedly from 1969, Swami Lakshmanananda ran ashrams and schools among Kandhamal's tribal communities and campaigned against religious conversion.
A 2002 Presidential Order listed Kui-speaking communities as Scheduled Tribes. Pana Christians, a Scheduled Caste, demanded ST status; the Kui Samaj opposed it.
Kandha are a Scheduled Tribe, Pana a Scheduled Caste; both speak Kui. Pana demands for ST status after 2002 were opposed.
Trouble began on Christmas Eve over Christmas structures. Over three days, mobs burnt 100+ churches and church institutions and about 700 houses; at least 3 were killed.
At least 3 killed in 2007; at least 39 in 2008 (official). The second wave destroyed far more churches and homes.
Armed men entered the Jalespata ashram on Janmashtami night. Maoist leaders claimed responsibility; Sangh groups blamed local Christians.
After the Swami's funeral procession passed through hundreds of villages, mobs attacked Christian villages and churches. A curfew covered all nine towns.
About 54,000 displaced, about 600 villages affected, at least 39 killed per government figures. Rights groups report nearer 100 deaths.
Twelve companies of paramilitary forces, 24 platoons of state armed police and special teams were deployed. Camps stayed crowded, and some were themselves threatened.
About 54,000 left homeless in August 2008; about 11,000 still in camps in October; 3,000+ in March 2009, per USCIRF.
On 4 September 2008 it asked Odisha for a report but refused to dismiss the government. On 22 October 2008 it rejected a CBI probe.
Justice Panigrahi for the December 2007 violence; Justice S.C. Mohapatra, then Justice Naidu, for August 2008.
Fast-track courts gave him seven years (29 June 2010) and six years (9 September 2010) in two murder cases. He appealed; I found no final appeal ruling.
In September-October 2013 a Phulbani court convicted seven men and imposed life terms. The convicts say they are innocent.
CJI Thakur and Justice Lalit called the low conviction rate disturbing and ordered extra compensation: Rs 3 lakh per family of the dead.
315 closed cases to be re-examined, Rs 3 lakh extra per family of the dead, stronger policing and peace-building.
827 registered, 512 chargesheeted, 315 closed. 78 convictions in 362 completed trials by 2016.
Survivors said the 315 cases had no clear update; about Rs 15 crore of Rs 21.59 crore extra compensation was paid. Swami's backers sought a CBI probe.
Odisha's Home Department reported 342 cases disposed of: 79 convictions and about 263 acquittals, with 170 trials pending and 6,594 people arrested or surrendered.
Read the complete story, FAQs and key facts.