Accident, not arson caused Pandal fire: Madan Cintury

PARTY LEADERS LAUD YOUTH AND SUPPORTERS FOR QUICK RESPONSE WHICH AVERTED MAJOR TRAGEDY
PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 05 Mar: SDF’s area MLA, Zoom-Salghari, Madan Cintury, today confirmed that the fire which spread through the pandal erected at Jorethang for the SDF foundation day celebrations last evening was not an act of arson, but caused by misdirected firecrackers. Speaking to NOW! today, Mr. Cintury stated that he was convinced that no outside forces were involved in the mishap.
He also confirmed that some injuries were reported in the incident, and announced that the SDF party would bear the entire medical expenses incurred by the injured. He also congratulated the people of Sikkim for making the event at Jorethang such a grand success.
“Although it [the fire] was a tragic incident, it also brought the people, party workers and the youth together in their effort towards putting out the fire and saving lives,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing a formal valedictory function of the two-day SDF day celebration at Jorethang, the party vice president and in-charge South District, GM Gurung, congratulated the party workers and youth for their prompt action which helped save the lives of many.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction at the Fire & Emergency Services department’s inability to deploy enough fire tenders at the venue even after they had been specifically requested to do so. He also said that this was the biggest pandal to have ever been constructed in Sikkim and the incident had taught a big lesson on the importance of safety measures.
The programme today was chaired by SDF vice president, Administration Frontal Organization, KB Chamling as the chief guest, and was also addressed by general secretary, RN Rai.
Earlier, in the presence of Ministers, MLAs and party leaders, the party youth and Cheli Morcha cleared the debris from the ground.
The chief guest, KB Chamling handed over the SDF flag to the district in-charge of the party after the flag down ceremony. To mark the closing of the two-day celebration, a picnic was organised at the venue for the party workers and a musical programme with the artists who had performed last evening also entertained the gathering this evening.
It is learnt that some SDF party leaders also met the victims of yesterday’s fire incident at Namchi and Jorethang hospitals.