Three shops located in the main market Palma were reduced to ashes on early Wednesday morning, leading to losses worth lakhs of rupees.
The locals said, “In the wee hours of Wednesday, flameserupted from three shops located in the main market Palma. The situation turnedpanicky and chaos gripped the entire area.”
All the shops belonged to one Anil Kumar, they said.
Officials said, “Soon after information of the fire wasreceived, fire tenders and fire fighters from Rajouri fire station, led by FireStation Officer Maqbool Hussain rushed to the spot and launched an operation.After around two hours, the flames were brought under control.”
The Fire Station Officer said, “Although the three shopssuffered heavy damages, but we managed to prevent the fire from spreading tonearby structures.”
Meanwhile, the shop owner, his relatives and other localsstaged a protest on Wednesday morning and blocked the Rajouri-Kotranka road forover two hours.
They claimed, “Last year as well, a fire erupted in the sameshops and the owner suffered serious losses. On Wednesday, he suffered lossesagain. Inspite of three shops being completely gutted, no official from thecivil administration visited the spot.”
They also demanded financial aid for the shop owner.
After one-and-a-half hour-long protest, the Station HouseOfficer, Rajouri, Ajaz Haider, and Naib Tehsildar visited the spot and pacifiedthe protesters.
Later, a deputation of residents also called on seniorofficers of the district administration.