DHARAMSHALA, January 13: More than two thirds of Gyalthang’s old town have been gutted by a huge fire that broke out late Saturday, reports say. The fire destroyed over 300 homes leaving several people homeless. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet.
More than 1000 fire fighters engaged themselves in putting out the fire for hours. However, there have been no human casualty so far.
Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay expressed his regret over the incident and sent his condolences to those rendered homeless.
He called for a quick restoration of the ancient Tibetan town, urging that the restoration must be done as per the traditional Tibetan architecture and town planning system. He also said that restoration processes must be fair and unbiased.
The fire at Gyalthang comes just two days after another blaze gutted some 70 nuns’ quarters of a nunnery in the premises of the famous Serta Larungar monastery in Sichuan. The fire at Serta has injured two nuns and left around 2600 people homeless. Founded in 1980, Serta Larung is often described as the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist institute.
This is the third incident of fire in Tibetan area in just two months. The main prayer hall of the 433 year old Lithang monastery was gutted in a fire that broke out on the night of Nov. 16, 2013.
The official website of the administration headed by PM Sangay cites reports suggesting an ‘urban renewal’ drive by the Chinese government, which saw dozens of old structures dismantled through “fake accidents.” Once an old bustling Tibetan town, the Old Town has now become a ravaged battle field.
