Principal Correspondent
Kohima, February 25
The death toll in the Wokha fire incident that occurred from a suspected bomb blast inside a gun shop at Wokha Town has risen to nine with the recovery of the eighth body and an injured succumbing to injuries today. Wokha police sources said that a charred body was retrieved this morning.
Meanwhile, sources in Kohima said an injured victim in yesterday fire incident, who was reportedly brought to Kohima for treatment succumbed to his injuries in a local hospital here today taking up the toll to nine. His body was taken back to Wokha for the last rite.
Wokha police sources said that it has been established that the incident was not because of the handiwork of any anti-social element but an accidental incident leading to tragic fire incident wherein seven persons, including two infant children and a grand-mother, were charred to death while another 20 persons sustained serious and minor injuries and four houses gutted to ashes in the powerful blast inside a gun shop at around 11:30 am on Tuesday.
No law and order problem has been created and the situation is normal within Wokha town, police said.
Governor PB Acharya expresses shock over Wokha incident
Governor P B Acharya expressed his shock over the loss of lives including that of two minors and injuries to several others in a fire at Wokha on February 24.
The Governor conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery of those injured due to the fire. The Governor is concerned about the reason for the fire and find out the culprits / negligent people responsible. He also wished that the bereaved family be properly rehabilitated.
Dr TM Lotha visited injured victims of yesterday’s major fire at Wokha hospital
BJP MLA Dr TM Lotha has today attended the funeral service of one of the fire victims of Tuesday’s inferno at Wokha town. After the funeral service, he visited the fire victims at the district hospital, Wokha.
Dr Lotha also rendered financial aids to all the injured admitted at the district hospital.
Earlier, he inspected the blast site along with the DC, the SP and the Additional SP of the district and expressed his surprise that the amount of loss of human lives and injuries due to the blast and subsequent fire engulfing huge three buildings was unprecedented tragedy, saying it was first of its kind in the state.
The BJP MLA from 38 Wokha assembly constituency, in whose area, the unfortunate fire incident occurred, felt that a thorough investigation should be ordered and the real cause of the incident should be made known to the people. The ex-gratia should also be provided to the victims, he added.
Shurhozelie led NPF pained by Workha incident
The news of Wokha Town fatal explosion tragedy that took away several precious lives and injured many others, has deeply grieved the NPF fraternity.
“Deeply pained over the unfortunate incident, Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu, with all ranks and files of the NPF Central Hqs. Kohima Nagaland, while condoling and moaning the grievous tragedy at this shocking moment, join the citizens of Wokha in their efforts to overcome the unfortunate incident,” the statement from the party said.
