Responding to the public protests against an alleged fake encounter killing, the Indian Army has ordered an impartial probe into the incident.

The state government earlier ordered an commissioner-level inquiry into the killing of one Budheswar Moran that triggered popular protests in the area.

The general officer commanding of the 2 Mountain Division of the Army, Lt Gen N C Mawra announced the Army's decision to hold an inquiry into the incident in presence of eastern Assam commissioner Hemanta Narzary and Eastern Assam DIG, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta in Tinsukia.

The senior army official stated that might be lapses in the incident and promised that exemplary punishment would be given to any one found guilty after the probe was over.

Thousands of protestors continued to block national highways 37 and 38 at different places in Tinsukia district demanding punishment to Army men involved in 'fake encounter' killing of Moran, who was a watchman in Manipur Tea Estate.

He was killed by personnel of the 6 J & K Rifles in early hours of May 6 last and the Army later claimed that he was a member of the banned ULFA. The Army also claimed to have recovered a pistol from his possession.

"The Army and police are working together to address the grievances of the commoners," he added.

Meanwhile, Eastern Assam Commissioner Hemanta Narzary, who has been instructed by the chief minister to conduct an inquiry into the incident, announced Rs 3 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of Moran.

As part of the inquiry, the commissioner started the process of public hearing at Doom Dooma.

Moran's widow, Sangita has been fasting since Sunday even as she continued to remain with protestors along with her minor children.

The army was forced to order inquiry into killing of one Ajit Mahanta in Kakopathar area in Tinsukia district in February last year and punishment were meted out to guilty personnel in connection with the incident that triggered violent protests in the entire Tinsukia district.