Magisterial inquiry into Manipur killings

IMPHAL, July 24: The Manipur government on Thursday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the killing of five civilians by the Central Reserve Police force (CRPF) in Churachandpur on July 21, the state chief minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh told the House on July 22. The magisterial inquiry will be headed by the deputy commissioner of the district, Taranikanta. The report will be submitted within 15 days. Nipamacha Singh also promised an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the victims. He, however, said if necessary a judicial inquiry too could be instituted. The chief minister condemned both the CRPF personnel as well as the underground activists. Appealing to both to ensure that such incidents should not recur, Nipamacha Singh said since most of Army personnel stationed in the state had already moved to Kargil, the ongoing counter-insurgency operations would mainly be conducted jointly by the police and paramilitary forces, including CRPF.