Imphal: The Manipur government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into killing of five persons, including a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan at Sugnu in Manipur's Thoubal district even as the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) claimed responsibility for attack on the security force.

PREPAK on September 22, claimed 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.

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

In the incident on September 20 at Sugnu armed militants attacked a CRPF patrol party and killed a CRPF jawan of 132nd battalion and 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 one CRPF jawan and four persons were killed in the incident.

The sources said all the victims were taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science Hospital for post mortem.

PTI