A Gaya court in Bihar has awarded the death sentence to eight persons and life imprisonment to six others involved in the massacre of dalits 15 years ago in a village in Jahanabad district.

Additional Gaya District and Sessions Judge D D Pandey announced the verdict, which comes nearly 15 years after the massacre of the dalits in the Nonhi-Nagwan village under Kako police station of Jahanabad district.

A group of landowners had gunned down 19 dalits and injured 11 others following a dispute over fixation of agricultural wages prior to the paddy cultivation season on June 16, 1988.

Those sentenced to undergo life imprisonment were Sidheswar Yadav, Mohan Yadav, Ramprit Yadav, Krit Yadav, Prabhu Yadav and Rajendra Yadav.

Those awarded death penalties were Rajbhallav Yadav, Joddha Mahto, Ram Babu Mahto, Jung Bahadur Singh, Ramashish Yadav, Bipin Sharma, Dinanath Yadav and Jaddu Yadav.

While 13 accused were already in judicial custody, one of them is absconding.