17 killed in eastern India holocaust

At least 17 people, including nine children, were killed overnight in holocaust in eastern India, officials said today.

Officials said all the fire-related deaths were reported from northern and eastern regions of Bihar state.

According to them, four each were killed in West Champaran and Sitamarhi, three each in Saran and Lakhisarai, two in Muzaffarpur and one in Madhubani.

Officials said around 5,000 houses were also burnt in different fire incidents which rocked Bihar, reducing to ashes valuables and properties worth over 10 million rupees.

Villagers have alleged incidents of fire have suddenly picked up with the onset of summer but the state disaster management department has hardly made arrangements to avert the disaster or fight them.

In fact, the state govenrment has been caught virtually napping on this front, villagers allege.