Imphal, November 22: The argument hearings of the C Upendra commission of inquiry looking into the facts and circumstances of the June 18 public uprising, and the July 20 firing began today.

During the hearings, the commission allowed counsels representing various parties to submit their opinions.

The counsel for the state government gave a detailed account of the formation of the commission, which inquired into the sequence of events leading to and the facts surrounding the torching of the state Assembly building and other government and private buildings on June 18 and subsequent firing by security personnel that led to the deaths of 14 persons and injury to several others.

Defending the government, the counsel maintained that as part of democracy it is the duty of the government to provide proper remedies to tackle the people's grievances.

He further maintained that the government took reasonable measures to prevent the public uprising.

The counsel for the UCM charged the state Assembly and the Manipur government of having given their consent to the Union government for the extension of ceasefire.

He further appealed that the Assembly secretary should be summoned in the commission for hearing regarding the issue.

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