11 shops gutted at Sonabarighat

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, Jan 13: Eleven shops were gutted in the market complex of Sonabarighat under Rangirkhari police station of this town, 10 kms from here early this morning. The cause of the fire was not ascertained till the filing of this report.

According to Piku Mia Barbhuiya, whose grocery shop was engulfed by fire, the blaze started at 2 am and soon spread to cause the damage. Before the fire brigade from Silchar could reach the spot, everything was reduced to ashes. It was a market complex of variety of consumer items and other materials which included stationery, garments, betel leaves and nuts, poultry etc.

Matiz Uddin Barbhuiya who lost his stationery store said “The total loss suffered by us amounted to around Rs 6 lakh.” Considering their loss and financial hardships, the victims have demanded adequate compensation from the relief fund of the Cachar deputy commissioner. THE SENTINEL