MAWKYRWAT: The “carelessness” of a few road construction workers led to a major fire in a village near Ranikor on Saturday morning destroying crops as villagers watched helplessly.
The fire at 25 Mile village started around 11am, said the Sordar Shnong, B Wahlang.
“It was an act of carelessness and negligence of the labourers who were blacktopping the 25 Mile-Mawpyllun Road. They were burning asphalt but did not clean the place properly and the fire spread to the farming areas and reduced everything to ashes as it could not be controlled,” Wahlang said. The Sordar said he, along with villagers, rushed to the site when they heard screams. “We tried to contain the fire but in vain as it had already spread and with strong wind, we could not do anything but watch when it destroyed everything on its way,” he added.
The blaze destroyed rubber trees, pineapple, cashew nuts, broom cultivation and other fruit trees. Wahlang said the affected villagers want the road contractor to pay compensation.
