Imphal, July 20 2009: The ambush at Jouzangtek along the Tongjei Maril occurred in February 24, 2007 that killed 16 IRB personnel and hurt to several others was the mistake of the commanding officer of the battalion, said chief minister, O Ibobi today in giving reply to a question raised by opposition MLA, O Joy of MPP in the House of the state Assembly today.

Chief minister said the CO had come out with the personnel from election duty without prior information for taking up security clearance on their way to the stretch of the road.

If he happened to give prior information, ROP duty on the road are to be arrange by the SPs of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts and Army.

As there were no prior information on their return no ROP were provided on the stretch apart from this, 20 to 30 personnel occupied in a truck.

Taking advantage of the situation, armed undergrounds had taken the advantage and attacked them with bombs and guns.

Government is conducting departmental enquiry into the incident after keeping him under suspension from the service, Ibobo informed the house assuring that appropriate action will be taken up according to the finding of the enquiry.

Ex-gratia amounts of Rs two lakhs has been provided to the families of the personnel who slain in the unfortunate.

Apart from this families will get in service monthly salaries of the personnel.

If any of the family wanted to appoint one of their members under die in hardness scheme, they should apply to the authority concerns.

Those applied will be considered for appointment to a government job.

Government will consider giving special relaxation to the appointment of government jobs under the die-in hardness scheme.