The Arunachal Government has suspended two officials for alleged dereliction of duty during a fire incident that ravaged 700 shops at Naharlagun Daily Market near Itanagar.
According to an official statement issued by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, a massive fire broke out at Naharlagun daily market on Tuesday morning, and shopkeepers claimed they rushed to an adjacent fire station after spotting the blaze, but no personnel was there.
The oldest in the state, Naharlagun Daily Market is situated near the fire station and Naharlagun Police Station, around 14 km from Arunachal Pradesh’s capital Itanagar. The fire is suspected to be caused by firecrackers or lamps lit for Diwali celebrations.
After spotting the blaze, the shopkeepers rushed to the adjacent fire station, but no personnel were present. Further, when the fire services personnel arrived, the fire engines did not have water. To refill the engines, the personnel had to travel a long distance, and they could come back with water only around 5 AM, by which major section of the market gutted.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that the officer in charge and the staffer in charge of the night duty of the Naharlagun fire station failed to discharge their duties effectively.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Chief Minister – Pema Khandu, has assured shopkeepers that the state government would extend all possible assistance to the affected ones.
Taking to Twitter, the Arunachal CM wrote “Worried and upset about the damage caused to shops by Naharlagun fire. I’ve been monitoring relief and rescue operations since morning. Our government will extend every possible support to the affected people. Fire has been completely doused.”
Worried and upset about the damage caused to shops by Naharlagun fire. I've been monitoring relief and rescue operations since morning. Our government will extend every possible support to the affected people. Fire has been completely doused. 1/3
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 25, 2022
“The cause of the fire is still not known and is under investigation. Senior officers of District Administration, DDMO, Police & Fire Brigade are at the place of fire accident. They’re arranging immediate reliefs for shopkeepers. Their accounts numbers are being collected. A relief camp is being set up at Govt Higher Secondary School, Naharlagun. Some shopkeepers were staying in their shops which have been burnt. They will be accommodated in relief camp.” he added.
A relief camp is being set up at Govt Higher Secondary School, Naharlagun. Some shopkeepers were staying in their shops which have been burnt. They will be accommodated in relief camp. 3/3
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 25, 2022
