Dzükou Valley inferno is ‘man made’, alleges NPF

ON MONDAY, JAN. 04, 2021**Kohima: An IAF helicopter drops water using a bambi bucket to douse the forest fire that broke out in the Dzukou Valley of Kohima district. (PTI Photo)

ON MONDAY, JAN. 04, 2021**Kohima: An IAF helicopter drops water using a bambi bucket to douse the forest fire that broke out in the Dzukou Valley of Kohima district. (PTI Photo)

Urges Central Government to involve CBI or NIA to probe cause of inferno 

Kohima, January 4 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed its anguish over the ravaging wild fire at Dzükou Valley, which has been spreading since December 29, 2020.

The NPF in a press release issued through its Press Bureau alleged that “the Dzükou Valley inferno cannot be considered as natural disaster but is a man made fire that is causing a great harm not only to the beauty of the Valley but also to our environment.”

It stated that the Dzükou Valley is not only a tourist hotspot but also a National asset and is a home to various species of flora and fauna and burning of such forest will deeply dampen the ecological balance. 

Therefore, it stated, “the lackadaisical attitude of the State Government cannot be tolerated and requested the State Chief Minister or his ministerial cabinet to take personal survey and do the needful steps in containing the fire as well as to protect the Valley.”

“And since the Dzükou Valley can be termed as the National asset, the NPF strongly urge upon the Central Government to immediately look into the matter with great seriousness and may even involve the CBI or NIA to probe the cause of the inferno and if found any miscreants responsible for the inferno, then stringent action should be initiated,” it added. 

Meanwhile, the NPF lauded the State Governor, RN Ravi for showing personal concern and visiting the blazing Dzükou Valley to take first hand information. It also appreciated the Indian Air Force (IAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), DC and SP Kohima, Forest Department, Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) volunteers and all concerned persons for giving their best effort to douse the fire.