*Over 600 villagers become homeless
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Oct 16: A devastating inferno, which broke out late evening in remote Sukhnoi village of Marwah block, has rendered over 115 families comprising around 600 souls homeless.
An official spokesman said that a major fire has completely destroyed Sukhnoi village, gutting 80 houses, 15 non-residential houses, 80 cow-sheds, one school, around 5 shops, one mosque, two water mills, one Health centre and one Anganwadi centre.
The inferno, which broke out in one of the thatched houses, turned the entire village into ashes forcing around 600 souls to spend night in open. The fire was brought under control this morning with strenuous efforts of people, police, fire fighters and Army personnel.
“We came out of our houses and found that one of the thatched houses was on fire. Before we could do something to douse the flames, the fire spread wildly. To save lives, we immediately vacated the entire locality and spent the whole night in open”, said the affected villagers.
While talking to media persons after visiting Sukhnoi village, Minister of State for Transport Sunil Sharma informed that whole village was gutted in the devastating fire. He said that 80 houses have completely been damaged in the fire affecting over 115 families comprising of over 600 souls.
“Ration, packed food, blankets, kitchen items, water and tents have been provided to the affected families. Besides this, Rs 10,000 cash assistance per family has been announced”, said the Minister, who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, MLC Firdous Tak and SSP Kishtwar Sandeep Wazir.
“As the winters are fast approaching and it would be difficult for the people to reconstruct their houses or stay in the tents the affected families have been asked to shift to rented accommodation during the winter and the Government will pay Rs 3,000 per month as rent for six months”, Sunil Sharma said.
He said that there was no loss of life or injury in the inferno which had destroyed almost the entire village, adding that SSP Kishtwar has been directed to conduct enquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed shock and grief over this tragic fire incident. She has expressed her sympathy with the affected families and also instructed the Divisional and District Administration to provide immediate help and support to all those who have been affected due to devastating blaze.
MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has also expressed grief over the incident and sympathy with the affected families.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh has also expressed shock and grief over this fire incident. In his message, Deputy Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy with the affected families. He has also directed the district administration to provide immediate relief to the people.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, MLA Inderwal and Vice President JKPCC, GM Saroori and Former Minister and MLC Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo have also expressed grief over the incident and sympathy with the affected families.
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