T HE latest timber market fire has restarted another round of blame game among political parties. There is a demand for compensation for those who lost money and property in the incident.
After all has been said and done to score points on the political front, has anyone ever bothered to inquire why adequate fire fighting measures were not taken in the Timber market blaze? Who allowed encroachments outside shops, thus restricting vehicular movement in the area? Why were there no proper fire fighting facilities installed in the shops, when it is a known fact that wood catches fire quickly? Was the safety of electrical connections ensured, as short circuiting can be the cause of fire? If all these things have not been checked and it is certain that none existed, then why should compensation be given to the shopkeepers? Instead, they should be prosecuted and penalised for violating laws, and the flat owners be paid for the damage by the shopkeepers for creating a hazardous situation.The KMC, police and civil administration should be held responsible and tried for incompetence and criminal negligence for allowing encroachments and permitting shopkeepers for exposing residents of the area to risk and danger.
