From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, May 5: A suspected case of arson was reported at Umsning Town Durbar Secondary School, located in Umsning Proper A, after a fire broke out late Sunday night. The school authorities have filed a formal complaint with the Umsning Police Station.
According to Angelstar Khonghat, chairman of the school’s managing committee and headman of Umsning Proper A, the fire erupted around 11:30 pm and was first spotted by local residents.
Subsequently, community members alerted village authorities, who responded swiftly and managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread further. However, one classroom was completely gutted in the incident.
“This is not the first time the school has faced suspicious incidents.
In the past, we chose not to file formal complaints as the incidents were minor. But this time, we felt compelled to take legal action,” said Khonghat.
He added that unknown miscreants are believed to have used tablecloths and plastic materials to set the fire.
In response to the incident, the Managing Committee has declared a one-day holiday for students to facilitate the repair of damaged furniture, especially desks and benches from the affected classroom.
School principal BL Nonglait strongly condemned the act, calling it “a shocking and senseless attack” on a place of learning.
She urged residents to remain vigilant to prevent such destructive acts from recurring in the community.