SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, expressed deep sorrow for the loss of lives in a tragic fire incident at Dal Lake, Srinagar. “I am profoundly saddened by the loss of lives in the unfortunate fire incident at Dal Lake, Srinagar.”
PHOTO BY BILAL BAHADUR
In a harrowing incident, a massive fire erupted during the wee hours on Saturday along Ghat No 09 in the Dal Lake area, wreaking havoc on the serene houseboats. The flames voraciously engulfed five iconic houseboats Safeena, Sabreena, Young Gulshan, Lala Rukh, and Khar Palace. The fire extended its destructive reach, reducing seven residential huts and neighbouring houses to ashes.
Regrettably, the devastating blaze claimed the lives of three tourists from Bangladesh —Anindaya Kowshal, Das Gupta, and Mohammad Moinud —who were residing in houseboat Safeena.
LG Sinha expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “I have directed the District Administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons,” the Lt Governor said, in a statement.”
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson and In Charge Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq today expressed profound anguish over the death of three Bangladeshi tourists and complete damage to several houseboats in a massive overnight blaze in Dal Lake.
In a statement issued to press, Tanvir said, “My heart goes out to the family members of the three Bangladeshi Nationals who lost their lives in the tragic incident. I pray that the bereaved families find strength to bear this colossal loss,” adding, “The news of the massive fire incident that has turned seven houseboats into ashes has saddened me. The plight of the house boat owners, who make their humble living by letting out the houseboats for tourists is incomprehensible. I hope that the administration would do utmost help to the affected houseboat owners to assist them pull through the unfortunate event.”
Sadiq further said that fire victims have borne losses worth crores that need to be adequately compensated by the administration in order to help them out.
“The district administration must dispatch its teams on ground zero to assess the losses incurred so that ex-gratia relief is disbursed to these families on a prompt basis. Besides paying an adequate compensation the concerned authorities should provide necessary clearance certificates to these fire victim families in order to repair their damaged houseboats without any impediments,” he added.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Inc) expressed grief and sorrow about the fire incident in Dal Lake that occurred On Saturday in the wee hours.
In a statement issued by President KCC&I, Javid Ahmad Tenga urged Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha to extend necessary moral and monetary /compensation to the victims of the fire incident and help them rehabilitate on war footing basis.
“While the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry stand with the affected families in this hour of their grief, it has impressed upon the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to issue quick permission for reconstruction of these gutted houseboats and supply the required quantity of timber-suitable class at the earliest,” reads the statement.
The Deputy Commissioner accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Ahmad Kataria, Tehsildar Khanyar, Aaliya Tabasum and other senior Officers of District Administration visited the incident site and took spot review of post fire incident situation.
Interacting with the fire affected, the DC expressed support and sympathy with them on behalf of the District Administration Srinagar. He also assured that every kind of possible support shall be provided from the District Administration for their immediate rehabilitation.
The DC also directed the concerned authorities to assess the losses and make a comprehensive report regarding the losses in the incident. Moreover, the District Administration Srinagar provided immediate assistance to the affected 8 families in the form of 80 blankets, 40 mattresses, 40-bed sheets and 8 kitchen sets, besides Rs 160000 to all 8 affected families each Rs 19000 as an interim relief.
