Patna, June 7: The state cabinet today approved the judicial probe into the police firing at Bhajanpura in Forbesganj subdivision of Araria district on June 3. Four persons died and 12 others sustained injuries in the incident.

The cabinet chaired by the chief minister, who yesterday announced the judicial probe by a high court judge, completed the formalities.

Briefing the reporters, cabinet co-ordination department principal secretary Ravikant said: “Preferably, a sitting high court judge will probe the Forbesganj police firing. The government will request the chief justice of Patna High Court to spare the service of a sitting judge for the purpose. If the sitting judge is not available, the matter will be probed by a retired high court judge.”

The cabinet has also set the terms of reference for the judicial probe to be set up under Commission of Inquiry Act, Ravikant said. The probe would be wind up within six months and subsequently the report would be submitted to the government.

Explaining the terms of reference of the commission, he said the judicial commission would probe the background and conditions in which the incident occurred. It would also investigate the role of people concerned. The role of officials and their responsibilities would be fixed. They would also find out the justification of firing.

The state human rights commission has taken a suo motu cognisance of the police firing, suggesting investigation by a competent authority.

The police opened fire after a few villagers of Bhajanpura attacked a glucose and starch factory. Four persons were killed and 12 others were injured. The most gruesome incident occurred was that a home guard jawan from stomping on the body of a victim.

The state cabinet also gave the nod to create 60 posts of different categories in the Bihar State Human Rights Commission. Similarly, the cabinet also approved the creation of 76 posts and 46 posts in the transport and labour resources department, respectively, Ravikant said.

As per the recommendations of the Shetty Commission, the government cleared the proposal of giving furnishing allowance to the officers of the state judicial services, he said.

It also sanctioned a fund of Rs 50 crore for reimbursing the VAT to the entrepreneurs in the 2011-12 financial year.