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 this morning 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. PTI
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