SRINAGAR: The recent spate of fire incidents in Chhatroo has ignited fury among the residents, highlighting the apparent failure of the Fire and Emergency Services Department in the Kishtwar district to respond promptly, leading to extensive property damage including a religious school, Panchayat building, and residential structures.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Vice Chairman and Former Minister, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, in a scathing press statement, voiced his concern over the fire incident and demanded the registration of an FIR against the negligent Fire and Emergency Services Department.
The fire, suspected to have originated from a short circuit, engulfed the Chhatroo Madarsa (religious school), along with the nearby Panchayat building and a private residence. Despite the locals’ efforts to control the blaze with a water tanker, their attempts were futile due to the non-functional state of the fire department’s vehicle.
“At the time of need, the vehicle of the fire and emergency service was completely useless due to which no effort could be made to control the incident of fire,” Saroori lamented in a statement.
Demanding a thorough investigation into the matter, Saroori lambasted the authorities for what he described as a façade of preparedness, accusing the department of showcasing non-functional vehicles to the public while rendering them useless in times of crisis.
“The fire and emergency services department is trying to throw dust in the eyes of the public and tried to fool people by keeping the vehicles for show only,” Saroori asserted, calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
The Chhatroo Madarsa, described as a model religious institution, bore the brunt of the negligence, incurring heavy losses and disrupting the education of numerous students. Saroori demanded reasonable compensation for the victims and urged swift action against those responsible for the department’s lapses.
