Magisterial probe into Pangei firing

Imphal, April 10: The State Government has agreed to hold a magisterial inquiry into yesterday's Pangei-Yangdong killing incident and pay ex-gratia payment to the families of the two students killed in the incident. Four CRPF personnel and two students were killed in the firing incident at Pangei yesterday. Many civilians were also injured when the CRPF men retaliated. An MoU was signed between the Government and JAC Against Pangei-Yangdong Killing today in a meeting between the Chief Minister in-charge Th Debendra and the JAC representatives. The Government has agreed to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The report is to be submitted within one month. An ex-gratia amount of Rs one lakh each would be paid to the family of the two students killed in the incident. Compensation will be paid to the injured on the basis of the findings of the probe, the MoU said. Apart from the Chief Minister in charge, FCS Minister Ph Parijat and DPP MLA N Biren were also present during the meeting. Later they visited the injured persons in the hospital and assured them free treatment. They also visited the two injured CRPF personnel at RIMS. Following the agreement the families would claim the dead bodies tomorrow. All shops and educational institutions at Pangei area remained closed for the second day today. Roads were also deserted. The scene of destruction remained the same. A protest meeting at the NB College ground condemned both the actions of the CRPF and the militants. The meeting demanded Rs 10 lakh each as ex-gratia for the two students and Rs 2 lakh each for those seriously injured and one lakh each for the minor injuries. The meeting also demanded a judicial inquiry. After the meeting they came in truckloads to meet the Chief Minister. MHRC members L Rabindra, Y Laba and Kh Chonjon visited the injured persons at the RIMS and JN hospitals today. PLA owns up attacks: The PLA has claimed responsibility for the attack on CRPF personnel at Pangei yesterday and said fourjawans were killed while several others were injured in the attack. In a statement signed by Lt Robinson, PRO GHQs, the outfit said yesterday's attack and the March 12 attack on Assam Rifles were carried out under a new campaign of the party. The campaign will continue in different forms as part of a revenge, it said and sought the co-operation of the public in it. PLA charged that CRPF personnel carried out killing and atrocities against civilians after the attack as they could not dare face the attackers. Such "cowardly act" has become a routine for the "colonial forces" and it is condemned to the highest degree, the statement said. The outfit said it pays respect to the civilians who were killed in the CRPF action and shares the sorrow of the bereaved family.