Central teams arrives here to assess the loss due to depot fire

Srinagar, Aug 22 (UNI) A four-member Central team arrived here today to assess the losses suffered due to devastating fire and subsequent blasts in the 21 Field Ordinance Depot at Khundroo which killed 21 people, damaged houses and crops and forced thousands to migrate to safer places in south Kashmir on August 11.

Headed by Binoy Kumar, Joint Secretary (Ordnance), Defence Ministry, the team members after their arrival here went immediately to Khndroo, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said the team will first visit the area which has been cleared by the experts of all shells which remained unexploded after the fire and blast in the depot.

He said the team members are expected to visit the depot area and assess the loss due to the fire. Besides, they are likely to meet the top army officials and others here.

Official sources told UNI that the team members had detailed meeting with the state administration. The Chief secretary was among the officers who represented the state government.

The officials reportedly informed the committee about the measures taken by the state administration to meet the challenge after the fire in the depot.

They informed them about the migration of thousands of people from their homes in the affected villages, damages to houses, crops and trees and killing of animals.

Official sources said they will also meet Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad later in the day.

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