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| Locals demand probe into Gulmarg hotel fire | | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Nov 29: Sensing mischief in the fire that recently gutted a hotel at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, the locals have demanded a probe into the matter.
A locals said given the way the fire had erupted from the hotel suggested that such incident couldn't take place because of short-circuit. "The entire length and breadth of the hotel caught fire in one go," the locals said.
They apprehend that the hotelier may have done so get insurance cover and come up with a brand new hotel.
Sources said around a year ago the said hotelier had tried to upgrade and expand his hotel but the same had to be stopped midway following hue and cry raised by the locals for violation of norms.
"That time the building permission for the repair for being used to construct new rooms," said a source in the Gulmarg Development Authority.
It is pertinent to mention that any fresh construction in Gulmarg has been banned by the competent authority in the wake of complaints of vandalisation of the natural beauty.
"But in case of fire, a permission for reconstruction can be granted," said an official in the tourism department on the condition of anonymity.
A group of hoteliers said a mischief cannot be ruled out for numerous reasons. "Setting own property at fire has been a common allegation in Kashmir. Just a year ago, a prominent hotel in Srinagar on the banks of Jhelum was gutted under mysterious conditions," said a hotel owner on the condition of anonymity.
He said the hotel in Srinagar had gutted a few days after a small fire incident had taken place there.
Officials said reality in such cases can be known only if a formal probe is ordered. "Unless government orders a probe to know the reality behind such incidents the businessmen will cash it for personal gains," said the official on the condition of anonymity.
Despite repeated attempts the said hotelier couldn't be contacted for comments. |
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