- Web Master
- November 28, 2023
Two shells fired by the navy on Kalandan river
exploded inside the market at about 2:30 pm on 24 November. As the shells hit
the market building it caught fire and finally the whole market was destroyed.
A local resident informed Narinjara News that the fire
was strong. The fire service could not control the flame for hours. It went on
even after three fire fighting trucks were engaged.
Shockingly, the column of Burmese army stationed in the fire service compound initially did not allow the fire fighters to go inside and douse the fire.
“The fire fighters were not
allowed to put out the fire initially. After 30 minutes, when
they were allowed to go inside, the fire had already engulfed many shops. The
soldiers deliberately made the people suffer," asserted a resident.
He stated that there are many private houses near the
market and the owners were worried about the safety of their properties.
"The fire was
so strong that we could not approach the market,” said another resident.
Details of the damage are yet to
be estimated. As there were about 300 shops in that market the damage was worth
crores.
Many locals allege
that the navy people deliberately fired shells on it. Major general Zaw Min
Tun, who was a spokesperson of the military council, suspected that
it was a misfire from the part of navy personnel.