Midnapore (WB): Heart-rending scenes were
witnessed when bodies of the 24 EFR jawans, killed in Monday`s
deadly Maoist strike, were handed over to their relatives for
last rites Wednesday at Salua camp, near Jhargram in West
Bengal.
Earlier, Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) battalions gave a
gun salute to the slain jawans late last night in the presence
of five ministers from the West Bengal Government
Wreaths were placed on the coffins wrapped in the
Tricolour at the Salua camp of the state force.
State Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, who along with four
other ministers faced angry demonstration by relatives of the
deceased jawans last night, announced compensation of Rs 15
lakh for each of the families of the dead, a job for a family
member and salary due for the remaining part of their service
period.
Dasgupta pacified the agitated crowd by assuring that
steps would be taken to strengthen security of the Salua camp
by erecting high boundary walls and barbed wire fencing.
Meanwhile, forensic experts today collected samples of
splinters and cartridges from the burnt camp at Shilda. A bomb
disposal squad also visited the site which was still being
cleared of rubble.
The condition of one of the four injured EFR jawans
admitted to hospital was still critical, police said.
All shops and markets, schools and colleges remained
closed and no transport was seen on the roads.
PTI
