On 16 November, 15 houses in the area including those owned by Khewang were gutted in a midnight fire on November 15. And it was the Khewangs who lost the most to the fire. The family is now living in a tent in the area. [break]
When road arrived in the area connecting the district headquarters some 15 years ago, Khewang sold a piece of land which developed into market.
"I sold the land thinking that life would be easier if there is a market nearby," said Khewang, adding, "The fire spread from the house built on the land that I had sold."
Surendra, who is a farmer by profession, had built two other houses as well in the market. Surendra lost property worth around Rs 2. 5 million in the fire.
Locals claim that family disputes between one Bikram Yonghang and his wife Hema Bhandari led to the fire.
Related story
Samsi-Maisthan road expansion renders 200 families homeless
