Imphal, Sept 23: The Manipur government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into killing of five persons, including a CRPF jawan at Sugnu in Manipur's Thoubal district even as the banned Prepak claimed responsibility for attack on the security force. Prepak claimed yesterday that the attack on the CRPF was part of their armed campaign for 'an independent Manipur.'

The inquiry would be conducted by Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal district P Vaiphei, who would find out the facts and circumstances that led to the incident that left the five dead, official sources said today.

The report would be submitted within 30 days from yesterday (Sept 22), the sources said, adding ex-gratia would be paid to the next of kin of the four civilians.

In the incident on Saturday at Sugnu, armed militants attacked a CRPF patrol party and after killing a jawan of its 132nd battalion escaped with a AK-47 rifle, the sources said.
As the militants fled, CRPF personnel had opened fire killing four civilians who were watching a football match, they added.

Earlier reports had said seven persons - a CRPF jawan and six civilians were killed in the incident.

Bureau Report