Armenian Ghat fire: One arrested

Kolkata: Police on Friday arrested the person who had been allegedly occupying the godown near Armenian Ghat without any permission in connection with the incident of fire in which 16 shanties and a storehouse were gutted on Thursday.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the godown originally belonged to the Kolkata Port Trust and was given on lease to a transport company, Safe Cargo Movers, in 2009.

The agreement was for 11 months. It has been alleged that the agreement was over in the month of March in 2010. The godown was not allegedly cleared despite that.

On the basis of the allegations, Ram Singh, the owner of the transport company, was arrested.

Investigation also revealed that the company did not have the necessary clearances even to use the godown. There were also no clearances from the state Fire and Emergency Services department.

A probe was initiated based on a complaint that was lodged with the North Port police station on Thursday and on the basis of which he was arrested the next day.

It may be mentioned that 16 shanties and a godown were gutted when the fire broke out near the Armenian Ghat. Relief has been announced for the two girls who were supposed to get married on Sunday and have lost everything in the ravaging fire.

Steps have also been taken to check recurrence of such incidents in and around the city.