Algapur, Hailakandi: A devastating fire erupted at Algapur Market in Assam’s Hailakandi district on Sunday evening, resulting in significant damage, primarily gutting a large areca nut (supari) godown. While the cause of the fire remains undetermined, the incident has sparked widespread public anger and highlighted critical failures in the local administration and the alleged indifference of the area’s legislator.
Delayed Response Exposes Fire Station Demand
The blaze is reported to have started around 5:00 PM on Sunday. Eyewitnesses described massive flames engulfing the market, causing widespread panic. The severity of the fire led thousands of locals to rush to the scene.
A major point of contention raised by the public is the lack of a dedicated fire station in Algapur. Firefighting efforts were severely hampered as the fire tenders had to be dispatched from the distant Hailakandi and Panchgram stations, arriving nearly two hours after the incident began. By that time, the fire had already reduced the godown and other properties to ashes.
Local citizens and political commentators condemned the delayed response, arguing that long-standing demands for a local fire station have been ignored by the Hailakandi district administration.
MLA Nizam Uddin Choudhury Under Fire
Amidst the raging fire and chaos, local MLA Nizam Uddin Choudhury (AIUDF) came under intense public scrutiny. According to multiple eyewitness accounts and local reports, the MLA was seen crossing the Algapur market road while the blaze was at its peak.
Locals expressed outrage, claiming the legislator passed by without stopping even once to inquire about the extent of the damage, assess the situation, or offer any assistance to the affected shop owners.
Commenting on the incident, Helal Uddin Laskar, General Secretary of the District Congress Committee and a local citizen, strongly criticized the district administration for its silence on the fire station demand. He specifically accused MLA Choudhury of prioritizing “personal interests” over the immediate plight of his constituents.
Victims Demand Compensation; Political Backlash Intensifies
The owner of the destroyed godown and other victims of the massive fire have raised a forceful demand for immediate and adequate compensation from the District Administration.
Local residents and traders, who are already reeling from the losses, publicly expressed their frustration, stating that they received no cooperation or assistance from MLA Nizam Uddin during or immediately after the catastrophic event. In a damning indictment, some locals went so far as to predict that the MLA’s perceived neglect would lead to his defeat in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
Police personnel from Algapur Police Station were deployed to secure the area and control the large crowds of onlookers and affected individuals.
