In 2008 after the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda, who was a Hindu monk, by Indian Maoists (communist insurgents), tensions flared between the two communities in 2008. Christians were blamed and attacked in the state of Odisha with 38 killed and over 250 churches damaged while several thousands of Christians were displaced. Sitting BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for six years by a fast track court for a murder during the 2008 communal riots in Odisha's Kandhamal district.