In Tamil Nadu, 10 people including the owner of a school and its headmistress have been found guilty in the fire tragedy case in which more than 94 school children were burnt alive in Kumbakonam in 2004.

The verdict was delivered today by Thanjavur District and Sessions Court Judge Mohammed Ali. The court however, acquitted 11 others including three teachers citing lack of evidence against them.

The owner of the private school Palanichamy, Correspondent of the school Saraswathy, Headmistress Santhanalaxmi, Noon meal organiser, and cook were given ten years imprisonment. Five government officials were also found guilty by the court.

The court also ordered to give 51 lakh rupees compensation to the family of the 94 children killed in the incident.Our cur correspondent reports that the dark day still lingers on the minds of people of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

It was on July 16, 2004 that fire broke out in a private school at Kumbakonam. More than 200 students were there in the school and the fire had cut short the lives of 94 little rose buds.

Tears roll down the eyes of the parents when they recall the dreadful day. It was found that the fire had broken in the Noon Meal centre and fire spread trapping the school children.

The case went from Kumbakonam Judicial Magistrate to Essential Commodities Court and finally to Thanjavur District and Sessions Court.

Charges under various sections were framed against 21 accused including school correspondent, school teachers and government officials in 2012.

Eleven persons were released and ten persons were charged under various sections of IPC including Section 465 and 464 by the Judge. Parents and relatives said that they want all the 21 of them to be punished.