Mangalore crime file: 300 acres of grassland gutted in fire
300 acres of grassland gutted in fire
17 January 2007
published by mangalorean.com
Puttur, India — About 300 acres of grassland in Kolla farms has been destroyed by fire, which broke out on Monday night.
It is suspected that the fire was lit by some miscreants. The fire started at Kottandarigudde and spread to Alake Gundi, Kolla gate, Neraje and temple areas. The cashew plants, acacia trees and other plants were destroyed.
It is common that the dry grass in the farms are engulfed by fire every year in the season. An attempt had been made earlier by miscreants to burn the grassland some days ago, but with timely effort, public controlled the fire. This time the fire was lit at the top of the hill at night, which resulted in a huge loss. The department had taken precautions to check the act and the workers inside were alerted, but the miscreants lit the fire when the workers had gone home.
The grass had been auctioned and was to be cut within one week. The farm officials alleged that the bidders, who had not received the contract, had lit the fire.
