Shillong, Jan 12: The mother of the two children who died in an inferno in Mawbah was taking shelter in her husband’s relative’s house when this reporter visited her on Wednesday evening.
She was trying to get some sleep from the nightmare and hence did not wake up despite the presence of the visitors who were neighbours and journalists.
In the nearby room, her four-month old girl child was sleeping. She is the only one left after the tragedy.
Her husband is a driver and she is not employed.
The residents and the relatives narrated the apathy of the house owner and the people around when the devastating fire was raging around 6.30 pm on Tuesday.
“The residents in the complex were busy with themselves and did not bother to rescue the children resulting in loss of lives”, alleged one of the neighbours.
The fire extinguishing process also took sometime on Tuesday evening.
One fire tender came but it went back soon. Another came but it took sometime to fix the pipe, an eye witness said.
The forensic team carried out the task only on Wednesday.
The mortal remains of the children were traced on Wednesday and they were identified by a relative and soon the funeral was held.
The local MLA, Mohendro Rapsang, said the need to provide help to the victims was taken up with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who assured assistance.
Besides the financial assistance, the victims need shelter as all their belongings.
Owner ignored request
A short-circuit triggered cylinder blasts leading to the devastating fire.
The family had told the owner to repair the hanging and exposed electric wire four days before the incident but nothing was done, said a relative of the victims.
Police registered only an unnatural death (UD) case and instead they should file case against the house owner for the neglect, said a resident
The neighbours also alleged that the owner, who is residing somewhere in Mawprem comes to collect the rent on 12th of every month and other than she is least bothered about the maintenance of the building.
“She has not visited even after the tragedy . The water used by the fire tender entered our houses and we have to clean the houses by ourselves”, some of the occupants said.
The residential complex has an incomplete building and the staircases are exposed without any railing.
The staircases lead to the fourth floor where the affected five families, with tin-sheets covered for shelter, were residing.
Atleast fifteen families are residing as tenants in the remaining three floors below.
Only one meter is provided to some families and they have to clear exorbitant electricity bills individually.
The families residing in fourth floor have to fetch water from the tap below and separate tanks were purchased by those who could afford.
