Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Oct 29: Devastating fire engulfed forest area in Kontwara block of Drabshalla tehsil in Inderwal Assembly segment of Kishtwar district this evening.
As per reports, the villagers of Hinga Goan which is adjoining the forest are scared as they apprehend that fire which has engulfed the entire forest area may engulf it during night.
When contacted District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana said that administration has dispatched police , forest protection force and VDCs to the area for rescue operations and villagers as well as the animals have been taken out from the village. He said there are reports of shooting stones due to fire and administration is taking all measures of damage control.
Meanwhile, Sarpanch Sangna, Sanjay Parihar and BJP leader, Basant Raj Thakur have urged the administration to take immediate steps in dousing the blaze so that the village is protected. They also demanded safety of villagers and their animals.