Paletwa internet cafe burnt down to ashes

05 January 2013: An internet cafe owned by Daw Cha Su, a member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, was gutted by fire in Paletwa town of Paletwa Township, Chin State around 3am last Wednesday.

The shop Aa-Man-Thit that provides telephone and internet services to the public lost at least six laptops, two telephones, and a photocopier as well as other accessories, according to a local from Paletwa.

“We just wonder how the fire started as it was the time the shop was closed. And we didn’t have any electricity running at that moment of time. We thought it must have been an intentional act,” said Awih Nu.

Parts of the government building next to the internet shop were also alight. But no casualties have been reported.

Police are still conducting an investigation to find out who was responsible for the incident till today.

Members of the Paletwa Fire Service Department arrived at the scene but were not able to put out the blaze as their fire engine had got technical problems, according to the Khumi Media Group.

Peter Lawilu, an editor of the Khumi Media Group, who contacted the local about the incident told Chinland Guardian that some arguments recently broke out at the shop.

However, it is reported that the reason as to why and how the internet cafe was targeted is not yet known.

There are four internet shops in the town of Paletwa, the biggest in Paletwa Township of Chin State.

Reporting by Thawng Zel Thang
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