Four activists of the banned Al-Umma outfit have been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by a court in this district on various charges, including smuggling explosives and arms in 1992.

Kovilpatti Sub-Court Judge Manjula on Wednesday convicted the four of attempt to murder, robbery, possessing and smuggling explosives and cheating. A fine of Rs 25,000 each was also imposed on them. The sentences would, however, run concurrently.

In all, five persons -- Imam Ali, Hyder Ali, an associate of Imam Ali, Mohammed Abdul Khader, Zaheer Hussain and Abdul Muthaleef -- were named as the accused in the case.

While Imam Ali, a hardcore militant, was killed in an counter with the police in Bangalore in 2002, Hyder Ali is lodged at the Madurai [ Images ] Central Prison and the other three are out on bail.

They were found guilty of hijacking a taxi, which had been engaged from Thiruvananthapuram, after assaulting the driver and then smuggling arms and explosives in the same vehicle.

According to the prosecution, the five had engaged a taxi at Thiruvananthapuram on October 29, 1992 and later hijacked the car after assaulting the driver.

Later they hit the car against a culvert on the Ettayapuram Road at Kovilpatti. Despite being injured, they managed to escape from the spot.

A police case was registered following a complaint from the driver. During investigation police found that the car was loaded with explosives and arms.