House gutted in Bishnupur district

IMPHAL, Feb 26: In a devastating fire, the house of one Jonathan Varah of New Canan village under Litan police station in Ukhrul district has been gutted caus ing damage to several properties. The incident occurred at around 4 am today when the house went up in flame damaging properties of two rooms worth about Rs 4.5 lakhs, a granary stored with 200 tins of paddy, villagers said, adding the rooms were partially saved by joint efforts of the villagers.While exact cause of the fire is still not known there is strong suspicion of foul play, they said adding the police have taken note of the incident by conducting spot inquiry and an FIR has been registered with the police station. The villagers have also appealed the Government authority to provide all possible assistance to the house owner.