BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh has written to Punjab chief secretary K A P Sinha, demanding immediate action regarding the devastating fire that broke out at Bansa Wala Bazaar (Lakkar Mandi) recently. Chugh described the tragedy as a glaring example of the Punjab government's alleged failure and administrative negligence.
According to Chugh, more than 25 shops were reduced to ashes, and a specially-abled shopkeeper, Khairati Lal, was burnt alive in the incident, which shocked the entire state. In a letter to Sinha, a copy of which was released to the media on Tuesday, Chugh stated that eyewitnesses reported the fire originated due to a short circuit in overhead electricity wires. With large quantities of bamboo, wood, and other highly combustible material stored in the market, the blaze spread rapidly.
Chugh emphasized that years of hard work and investment were destroyed before the traders' eyes, leaving several families facing an uncertain future. He demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident, strict punitive action against officials and employees responsible for negligence, and registration of an FIR against those found guilty. He also urged the Punjab government to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the affected traders and shopkeepers. Additionally, Chugh sought special financial assistance for the family of the deceased Khairati Lal.
