Inferno razes Christmas Hall at Gelnel Village
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, December 22 2019:
In one heartbreaking incident, an inferno razed down a Christmas Hall at Gelnel Village on Saturday noon.
At a time when the Christian community are busy are preparing for the Christmas celebration, the razing of Christmas Hall by a fire at Gelnel has dampened the high spirit of Gelnel villagers.
Situated around 45 km away from Kangpokpi DHQs along Imphal-Tamenglong Road, Gelnel village is one of the 'biggest and largest Christian villages' in Twilang (IT Road) areas and Christmas celebration of the village is highly admirable to all.
The inferno razing down the Christmas Hall just a few days ahead of the celebration has hurt the sentiment and the mood of all the villagers.
An unseen man who took the fire incident in his mobile is heard saying, 'Hei...ha' (which signify a helpless tone) in the viral video and he was also heard saying in the last part of the video, 'Ka-it tave' (which indicate he could not do anything despite his willingness to save the precious building).
Twilang areas would remain a victim of such fire incident until proper fire-substation is installed mainly for the areas either at the Sub Divisional Headquarters or some other appropriate location as depending alone at Kangpokpi DHQs would not help owing to the distance and deplorable road condition.
Worst is that the fire tender at Kangpokpi DHQs could not climb up a slightly steep slope road even without water which was recently proved when fire incident occurred at Tujang Vaichong where five houses were destroyed by the fire.
While talking to media persons at Twilang area parking at IT Road in Kangpokpi DHQs, a group of young boys and girls from Gelnel Village who were staying outside the State coming for the Christmas celebration said that they saw the viral video on their way and the footage had dampened all their Christmas spirit.
KSO Sadar Hills and KSO Twilang Block also expressed solidarity to the villagers of Gelnel and seek immediate intervention of the concerned authority to avoid such disheartening incident in future.
They also urged the State Government and concerned authority to help the villagers in arranging an alternative venue for their Christmas celebration.