Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today demanded a thorough probe into the fire incident in Bhatyas in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that a powder like inflammable substance was found at the site that gives rise to suspicion of foul play.
"I am told that some powder like inflammable substance was seen at the site of fire. This has given room to suspicion of a foul play. Authorities must look into the causes of repeated fire incidents at this particular site," Azad said.
The former chief minister expressed his deep shock and grief over the tragic incident in which more than 35 shops were gutted.
He, however, expressed his serious doubts about the cause of fire, since this is the second incident in seven days.
Azad said a week before on the same road at a distance of 5 kms from the place at Tehsil headquarter in Gandoh, more than 30 shops were gutted in a fire.
This, he said, is the 6th time that shops have caught fire on the Thatri-Gandoh road.
"This looks a deep conspiracy and some organisation is definitely behind this," he said.
The senior Congress spokesperson, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said, "My all sympathies are with the affected families. State administration must provide immediate help and financial support to all those affected by the devastating blaze."
"Also an immediate inquiry must be conducted to uncover the mystery of such fire incidents taking place in a particular area," he said in a statement.
Azad also demanded immediate provisions for fire-fighting equipments for areas like Gawari, Bathri, Kahara, Malikpora, Gandoh and Bhatyas and said had there been facilities available destruction would have been restricted.
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