Andhra youth, suspected of setting fire to Vadakara taluk office, in police custody

Andhra youth, suspected of setting fire to Vadakara taluk office, in police custody
The office is located in the heart of Vadakara town adjacent to the district court complex and other state government offices. Photo: Manorama

Kozhikode: A youth, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, was taken into custody by the police in connection with the massive fire that broke out at the Vadakara Taluk Office early morning on Friday.

The man identified as Sathish was picked up by the police on Saturday, after a CCTV footage showed him on the premises of the now- gutted government office.

Sathish, according to TV reports, is a homeless person who used to roam around in Vadakara town.

The police also suspects that Sathish was the one who caused a fire at a lavatory in the nearby building earlier. The special investigation team led by Vatakara Deputy Superintendent of Police will question the suspect.

The incident happened in the wee hours of Friday. The blaze was brought under control after several hours by three units of fire fighters from Vadakara, Nadapuram and Perambra Fire and Rescue stations. No one was injured in the incident.

Andhra youth, suspected of setting fire to Vadakara taluk office, in police custody
The blaze was brought under control after several hours by three units of fire fighters from Vadakara, Nadapuram and Perambra Fire and Rescue stations.

The office is located in the heart of Vadakara town adjacent to the district court complex and other state government offices.

'Only old records and files destroyed'

The office building, several important official records and files were completely destroyed in fire, following which the state government ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. The roof of the renovated old building collapsed in the fire.

District Collector N Tej Lohit Reddy said all major files at the taluk office had already been digitised and there was no need for panic over the damage of physical records in the fire.

Andhra youth, suspected of setting fire to Vadakara taluk office, in police custody
Fire and Rescue personnel trying to douse the fire. Photo: Manorama

The district administration also made it clear that only old records and files were destroyed in the fire as an e-filing system has been in place after 2019.

On Friday, Revenue Minister P Rajan had told reporters that all aspects including the possibility of any "external intervention" into the incident would be probed.

"Directions have been given to carry out a comprehensive probe as soon as a preliminary report into the incident is received. All aspects including the possibility of any external intervention behind the incident will be included in the investigation," he had said.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.