Northeast Desk, 4th May: Two separate fire incidents rattled the tranquility of Kinunger village in Mokokchung district on May 3, leaving behind a trail of destruction and suspicion. Situated approximately 20 kilometers from Mokokchung Town, the village was thrust into chaos as flames engulfed homes, granaries, and even a sacred church.
The first blaze erupted at the unsettling hour of 1:30 am, consuming two houses, a granary, and two scooters in its fiery grasp. Fortunately, no lives were lost as the houses stood unoccupied at the time of the incident. In a heartening display of solidarity, villagers rallied alongside residents from neighbouring Chungtia and Aliba, joined by firefighters from the South Fire station, Marepkong Mokokchung, in a valiant effort to contain the inferno and prevent its spread.
However, the ordeal was far from over as another fire erupted later that morning, this time within the confines of a cherished church. Shockingly, three bottles of petrol were discovered inside the holy sanctuary, with one igniting and the others deliberately pierced to ensure leakage and subsequent ignition. Prompt action by vigilant villagers prevented further devastation, prompting the swift notification of the Police and District administration.
In the aftermath of the second fire, additional bottles of petrol were uncovered within two vacant houses in the village, further deepening suspicions of foul play. The toll of destruction stood at properties worth 15 lakhs, two scooters, and a rice granary, as confirmed by the village Chairman.
With mounting evidence suggesting deliberate sabotage, village councils voiced suspicions of fraudulent intent behind the incidents. Police launched a preliminary investigation following the lodging of the first report, yet the identity of the culprit remains elusive as the investigation continues to unfold.
The unsettling incidents come hot on the heels of controversy, as the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) cast doubt on the proposed cleanliness drive in church compounds by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 11. The association’s concerns add a layer of intrigue to the already tense situation, raising questions about the true motives behind the BJP’s initiative.
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