KANGPOKPI, Apr 20: A mysterious inferno burnt down the upper floor of Manipur Theological College, Kangpokpi late last night at around 11.30 pm resulting in destroying properties worth approximately Rs one crore and twenty lakh including Rs two lakh in cash.
The upper floor of the college comprised of seven rooms including Chapel Hall, Principal and VP room, Study Hall, General Room and teaching faculty lounge.
The Chapel Hall contained PA System, 60 armed bench, etc while reference/important book, encyclopedia worth more than Rs 30-40 lacs were kept in the Study hall.
All the important files of the college kept in the Principal and VP rooms have also totally burnt down to ashes including four computer sets with laser printer.
The local on learning the incident rushed to the site immediately rendering all possible efforts but it was already too late to save the building and properties inside it said a resident of the nearby college.
The locals alleged that Kangpokpi Police and Manipur Fire Service station at Kangpokpi were called numerous time but they failed to attend to their calls.
They also alleged employees of Electricity Department at Kangpokpi keeping their mobile phone in switch off mood.
They continued that later personnel of Manipur Fire Service at Kangpokpi rushed to the spot with two vehicles immediately pressed into service to put down the fire but it was already too late since most of the building and properties were totally burnt down by then.
Kangpokpi Police visit the spot only in the morning even though they were informed shortly after the incident further added the local.
Interestingly, one vehicle of Manipur Fire Service bearing Regd.No. MN03-W/1030 meted with an unfortunate accident along the Mission road while returning from the spot. But there is no report of any casualties in the accident.
Vice Principal of the College while speaking to the newsmen said the college has summer vocation currently so studenst and most of the faculties were off to their respective home. Even the college Chowkidar is not present when the incident took place since he too went to his home.
We do not hear even the sound of the fire when we came to know the fire was in its peak said the VP while adding that the building was more than 30 years old and electric wire in it were all outdated giving the possibility of electric short circuit in the incident.
In the meantime, KSO Sadar Hills made a spot inquiry this morning and ruled out that there is no possibility of electric short circuit in the incident but smell of foul play.
While expressing deep discontentment over the incident the student body said they will investigate the incident and will not remain a mute spectator.
The student body further express its discontentment over the delay service of Manipur Fire Service and Kangpokpi Police in attending the public service while appealing all the concerned departments who are on public service particularly emergency service to put up their respective Helpline signboard in front of their concerned department office/station.
KSO Sadar Hills also render significant appeal to Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) to initiate urgent measures to reconstruct the building during the college summer vocation and finished before the session begins on June.
While urging all concerned to render all possible efforts and cooperation including any form of donation to reconstruct the building at the earliest sought immediate intervention of all the MLAs of Senapati and Sadar Hills and do the most effective action for reconstruction of the building.