Imphal, June 13 2009: All Manipur Construction Workers' Union (AMCWU) has urged for institution of a judicial inquiry into the killing of non-local workers by unidentified persons even as bodies of four victims shot dead a few days ago were flown to their home State today.

Submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the Union in addition to prevailing upon State authorities to probe the merciless killing, also sought payment of Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia to family members of the four victims hailing from West Bengal, alert Central Government authorities to protect Manipuris working or studying in other parts of the country, book the culprits at the earliest and initiate protective measures for security of the migrant workers by providing armed security guards at construction sites.

An affiliated unit of Construction Workers' Federation of India, AMCWU also expressed strong concern that killing of non-locals by unknown gunmen in the State is against the sentiment of the general public for promotion of a conducive atmosphere wherein sense of brotherhood could be realised.

The Union also cautioned that wanton killing of migrant workers might spark reprisals in other parts of India where Manipuris are studying/working.

Meanwhile, on completion of post mortem at RIMS morgue bodies of Gouranga Mandal (27), Dilip (25), Subha (26) and Jagnath Mandal (30) who all hailed from 24-Parganas district of West Bengal were flown to their native places today.

Even though no one or armed group/s claimed responsibility for the recent spate of killing of migrant workers in the State, number of non-local workers slain by unidentified persons in the past few months has risen to 20, including the four West bengal natives shot dead on June 11 evening at Iroisemba area.

With the State Government setting up relief camps to cluster together non-locals as a part of safety measures, the number of shelter seekers at Dharmshala and Kalibari temple in Thangal Bazar has gone up to over 245 persons.