Hoshiarpur, Aug. 25 -- The death toll in the LPG tanker fire near Mandiala on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road has climbed to seven, prompting the district administration to order a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Confirming the deaths, civil surgeon Pawan Kumar said these fire victims were admitted to a private hospital on Chandigarh Road and were on a ventilator. Five patients are still said to be critical while a 7-year-old boy has been referred to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Those who died on Sunday have been identified as Jaswinder Kaur (65), Vijay (19), Manjit Singh (70) and Aradhana Verma (28). Aradhana's husband Dharminder Verma had died at Government Medical College in Amritsar within hours of the fire incident. Besides, two more, including the tanker driver, had succumbed to burn injuries. On Friday, around 10pm, an LPG tanker caught fire after colliding with a pickup truck near Mandiala on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road. In response to mounting public outrage and allegations of administrative negligence, deputy commissioner Aashika Jain has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The probe will be led by the additional deputy commissioner, who will submit a report within 15 days. In the light of reports of gas pilferage, the DC has also announced the formation of a district-level vigilance committee to ensure public safety and strict action against offenders. The committee will be headed by the district food and supplies controller, with the executive engineer of Punjab Pollution Control Board as co-chairperson, and representatives from the police, deputy director factories, and BDPOs concerned as members. The committee has been directed to conduct inspections, ensure compliance with safety standards and submit its first report within five days. Additionally, vehicle regulation committees have been set up to curb illegal parking of heavy vehicles, especially those carrying hazardous substances. The committee would be chaired by the respective sub-divisional magistrates, with the regional transport authority as co-chairperson. Other members will include representatives from the police, public works department (national highways) and municipal bodies. The committee would identify sensitive spots, act under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and coordinate with local bodies to designate safe parking zones. For relief measures, the DC has announced the constitution of a special relief committee under the chairmanship of the Hoshiarpur SDM. This body will oversee financial assistance, material aid and medical support to victims in a fair and transparent manner. A compliance report is to be submitted within five days. Angry villagers again held a dharna on the Jalandhar road on Sunday demanding adequate compensation to the victims. Rejecting the ex gratia of Rs.2 lakh to each of the deceased family announced by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, they said it was too little compared to the loss the families had suffered. "Seven persons have died and others are battling for life. Even if they survive they will need medical care for a long time. For those whose shops have been completely burnt, starting afresh is a big question. Without financial assistance, survival of these families is very difficult," said a protester. They revealed that nearly 20 shops were gutted in Friday's blast. "As far as the loss to victims' homes is concerned, we can say it is huge. A compensation of Rs.2 lakh is a cruel joke on the aggrieved families," said another villager....