The Hindu : Front Page : Ordnance depot fire continues

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Monday, Aug 13, 2007
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Ordnance depot fire continues

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: The fire at the Khundroo Ordnance Depot in south Kashmir continued to rage for the second day on Sunday, though the authorities claimed it had been controlled to a large extent. The area continues to be out of bounds for civilians. The depot is one of the biggest in the State.

Defence spokesman Lt. Col. A.K. Mathur told The Hindu that due to the concerted efforts of the civil administration, police and the Army, the situation had been controlled to a very large extent. “But sporadic blasts con tinue from the ammunition debris,” he said.

According to an estimate, there were around 500 explosions since Saturday morning. The Army continued to be tight-lipped on the number of people in the camp, but Col. Mathur claimed that all were safe.

Though the authorities asked people within a radius of one-and-a-half kilometres not to enter their houses, most of the residents returned on Sunday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir range, H.K. Lohia said: “We have reports that some shells have landed in nearby areas and we want to ensure that they are cleared before people move in.”

Nearly 27,000 people from villages within a three-mile radius were evacuated. For those who could not go back, the district administration has made temporary arrangements.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad visited the area on Sunday with his ministerial colleagues and top officials. He asked the administration to take effective steps for providing shelter to the people. He also inquired about those injured.

People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the area, said such depots should be relocated from civilian areas.

Ms. Mufti pointed out that a massive fire broke out at the Khundroo ammunition depot in 1965.

“The danger that the people of nearby villages face could be gauged from the fact that scores of unexploded shells are still lying in civilian areas.”

Death toll up

PTI reports:

Two more persons, including a woman, were killed on Sunday by shrapnel from explosions at the ordnance depot. The death toll in the fire and blasts has now risen to four. Two persons were killed and over 40 injured on Saturday.

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