Fire in Alipore govt office was set to destroy database of poachers, investigators claim

The fire at the Alipore government office in Kolkata was allegedly set to destroy the database related to poachers, investigators have reported in their findings, 48 hours after the incident.

The investigators have reportedly submitted their findings to the South 24 Parganas district administration, which is now being conveyed to the state administration.

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As per reports, tiger and deer skins, as well as antlers, were stored secretly in a cupboard on the floor where the fire broke out, reducing all these to ashes. Police reports indicate that these items had earlier been seized after the poachers were arrested.

In addition to these, documents from the ‘Law Cell’ as well as the database stored on computers were completely destroyed in the blaze.

Several other valuable items and documents were also gutted in the flames.

“The process of compiling an inventory of the damage has begun. A high-level investigation has been ordered,” Forest Minister Manoj Oraon said.

The fire broke out at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad office near Alipore Court late night on Wednesday. According to an eyewitness the fire broke out around 9:30 pm and quickly spread to offices on the third floor. They said that the smoke caused panic among the staff, however the fire services were able to control the situation.