Mizoram, May 6: The Mizoram government constituted a state-level special investigation team (SIT), headed by state chief conservator of forest (administration) RS Sinha to probe the series of forest fires, which broke out in several parts of the state recently.
A notification issued by the Mizoram government said the investigation team will find out the reasons and causes of the outbreak of fires, assess the extent of damages, examine and document the various means deployed for control and containment of the fires.
The SIT will also examine the existing provisions of laws, instructions and institutions in place to mitigate, prevent and respond to fires and to recommend any modifications or supplements that may be needed, it said.
Besides, the investigation team will make recommendations for measures, modalities, regulations, among others that may be put in place to avoid an outbreak of forest fire in the future, it said.
The team is instructed to submit its recommendation or report within two months of its constitution, the notification said.
District administration and investigation teams constituted at district levels by deputy commissioners shall render all necessary support to the state-level special investigation team.
The Mizoram government also instructed all departments and government offices from which the investigation team requires information and cooperation to provide the same without delay.
Besides Sinha as chairman, the team has two members – C. Lalthanmawia, director of fire & emergency services and J. Lalthafamkima Jongte, Mizoram inspector general of police (AIG) – while state disaster management and rehabilitation director John LT Sanga has been appointed as member secretary.
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Lunglei superintendent of police (SP) Rex Zarzoliana Vanchhawng said no person has been arrested in connection with the incident to date.
The devastating outbreak of wildlife fires in Mizoram, which broke out in several parts of the state in April, has devastated vast tracks of forest areas, farmlands and private properties.
According to state deputy conservator of forest (headquarters) PC Laltanpuia, at least 3,003 fire incidents, including forest fires and fire from burning of jhum lands, were reported in six districts covering an extent of 9,428.88 hectares of land between November 2020 and April this year.
