n a relief for parents of paramilitary troopers killed during duty, the Union Home Ministry has made it mandatory for forces to give a portion of the ex-gratia to them apart from the jawan's spouse.The country's largest paramilitary force and the mainstay of anti-Naxal operations, CRPF, has started the practice of disbursing this 'risk fund' amount in such a manner.The step was taken after numerous cases of spouse and parents tussle over the claim on ex-gratia amount were reported in forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and NSG. According to the new mechanism devised in the Central Reserve Police Force, in case of death in action, of the total 15 lakh rupees ex-gratia, parents will get four lakh rupees while the spouse will get 11 lakh rupees.

The Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF and the State government on the incident in which a search party of about 200 personnel comprising of Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF and State police were fired upon by a group of armed Maoists numbering 40-45, near village Sarkeguda in District Bijapur of Chhattisgarh.

According to an official release, in the exchange of fire six CRPF personnel were injured. They were taken to Raipur for further treatment. Two of them are reported to be critical. Two maoist who were also injured in the exchange of fire, which lasted for more than an hour.

They were removed from the spot and has been taken to Raipur for further medial treatment. Another Ultra died in Bijapur hospital during medical treatment. The release says that there are a few more casualities in the operation on the other side.