The investigation of the Chamkhar fire in Bumthang last year was closed after police could not gather any evidence from a month long investigation in the same year. However, the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister said a secret investigation is currently underway and will continue until substantial evidences are found.
After three repeated fire incidents in Chamkhar town over the past two years, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire in June last year. A police investigation team from Thimphu did a month long investigation but could not gather any substantial evidences. Lack of co-operation also impeded the investigation.
“Since the residents of Bumthang said the fire incident was not accidental but set on purpose, we carried out investigation for months but the investigation was not fruitful,” said Minjur Dorji, Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs.
Nevertheless, Lyonpo said a secret investigation is going on at the moment. “We have completed open investigation but the result was not fruitful. However, secret investigation is going on and will continue until something substantial comes up because of ill deeds and bad karma, the miscreant will somehow be caught.”
The repeated fire disasters almost wiped out Chamkhar town. However, upon the command of His Majesty the King and with assistance from the government, the town was rebuilt with proper planning. A total of over Nu. 18 million was spent in rebuilding 118 structures in Chamkhar town.
