Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, July 19: Virtually establishing sabotage in the outbreak of major fire in Civil Secretariat Srinagar on July 11, the Forensic examinations of the spot sample have detected kerosene oil remains and also ruled out any possibility of electricity short circuit behind the incident.
This has been elaborated by the J&K Forensic Science Laboratory in its report submitted to the investigating agencies probing the incident, highly placed authoritative sources informed the Excelsior.
Enough kerosene oil residues have been detected in the Forensic examination of the samples lifted from the site of fire in the presence of Inquiry officers and others, sources added.
Total nine samples were taken from the site of fire on the same day of incident as well as on the very next day while the Kerosene oil remains have been detected in samples lifted on both the days, sources explained and further said that the FSL in its report has also ruled out any possibility of electricity short circuit as cause of the incident thus hinting at a sabotage behind the fire that destroyed important records kept in the damaged portion.
As reported earlier, a major fire had broken out in the two storied annexe building of the Civil Secretariat on July 11 morning around 9 a.m and engulfed the whole building that was made of wood. As the Firemen took time to reach the spot and douse the flames, the building and records of six Government Departments as well as Service Books of over 300 employees were completely destroyed in the fire.
Besides Police investigations, the Government also ordered a time bound inquiry into the incident. Headed by Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary GAD, the probe committee has been asked to enquire into the circumstances leading to the outbreak of fire and submit a report within two week’s time.
For assisting the inquiry committee and the Police, a high level team of FSL also visited the spot and lifted samples from the site of fire in presence of Police Inquiry officers.
Five samples were lifted on the same day of incident while four more samples were taken on the very next day for more authentic results and conclusion.
Contrary to the earlier assumption of investigating agencies that some short circuit could have caused the fire incident in this wooden block of the Secretariat complex, Forensic examination detected enough kerosene oil residues in the lifted samples.
In its report, submitted to the Secretary GAD and the Police, sources said the FSL has explained the sample wise strength of the kerosene oil residues found during the Forensic examination besides maintaining that there was no possibility of a short circuit as cause of the fire.
When contacted, Director FSL Inayatullah confirmed that the Forensic test report has been submitted to the concerned investigating agencies with details of the examinations conducted on the samples lifted from the site of fire. However, he refused to divulge details of the findings and only said that it was up to the Investigating agencies to evolve a conclusion on basis of evidences.
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