Date:11/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091155140900.htm

National

Fire at Janata Bhavan destroys 4,000 files

Sushanta Talukdar

GUWAHATI: A major fire broke out at Janata Bhavan-the old Secretariat Building here — on Wednesday night gutted the office of the State Information Commission and about 4,000 files and documents relating to the Right to Information Act besides damaging chambers of three Ministers.

The fire broke out around 6 p.m. and spread quickly to six chambers in one corner.

Seven fire-tenders were rushed to douse the fire which the administration suspected might have been caused by electrical short circuit.

Magisterial probe ordered

The Assam government has ordered a magisterial probe into the circumstances leading to the fire.

Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nazarul Islam, parliamentary secretaries Dildar Rezza, Bidya Singh Engleng, who have their chambers in Janata Bhavan, rushed to the spot.