Jammu/ Kishtwar, March 11:
District Office Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Kishtwar, Khalid Nazir Dar, has expressed grave concern over the devastating fire that broke out last night in the Municipal Council Kishtwar office, completely gutting the building and causing extensive damage to several nearby residential houses, some of which were reduced to ashes.
In a statement issued to the media, Dar said the Municipal Council office is located in the heart of Kishtwar town in a densely populated area where houses are closely packed. He noted that the office is situated just a few meters away from the Islamia Faridia Educational and Research Institute and the historic Markazi Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, making the incident extremely alarming and a serious threat to public safety.
Dar alleged that the incident appears to be more than an accidental fire and could be part of a well-planned conspiracy. He claimed the building might have been deliberately set on fire, which could have led to a much larger tragedy in the locality, putting hundreds of lives at risk.
He further stated that the Municipal Council has been under public scrutiny over alleged misuse of public funds, corruption and financial irregularities. The destruction of official records in the fire, he said, has raised serious doubts among the public.
“This appears to be a calculated attempt to destroy important official records and shield certain white-collar officials who may have been involved in financial scandals. In an attempt to save themselves, they have put the entire mohalla at risk,” Dar alleged.
Demanding accountability, Dar urged the government to order an immediate high-level and time-bound judicial inquiry into the incident to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
He also expressed deep sympathy with the families whose houses were destroyed in the blaze and appealed to the district administration to provide immediate relief, compensation and rehabilitation to the affected families.
Dar added that if any negligence or conspiracy is established during the probe, strict legal action must be taken against all those responsible, irrespective of their position.
