Dhubri, May 19: Countless investigations and memoranda later, political parties and civil society organisations are still wondering why markets in Dhubri go up in flames so often.

There have been six major incidents of fire in the past eight years (see chart). Altogether, 37 incidents of fire have been reported in Dhubri district since January this year, nine in this town alone.

In December, five traders’ associations and a road transport company submitted a joint memorandum to the deputy commissioner demanding an inquiry into the frequency of market blazes.

Last night’s fire burnt down 97 shops, including three shops of Bazar Post Office Market and seven shops of Durga Das Road and Netaji Subhash Road. Besides these, 11 adjoining residential houses were partially damaged.

The fire, which started at 8.30pm, could finally be doused around 2 this morning.

According to shopowners, goods and property worth at least Rs 15 crore have been lost in the fire that broke out in the Dhubri Janata Hawker Market and spread to the other adjoining ones.

“I have lost everything in this fire. The shop was my only source of income and sustained my family for years ... it has all been reduced to ashes now,” said Arabinda Das, a readymade garments shopowner.

Chandan Paul’s condition is worse as not only his own shop but also that of his eldest brother, Bipul, was gutted in last night’s fire in the hawkers’ market, which hosts the largest number of shops in the district dealing mainly in garments.

Police, CRPF and army jawans had a tough time controlling the crowd that assembled around the market last night. Soldiers from the 21 Jat Regiment dispersed the crowd and cleared the roads for firefighters to approach the market.

While shopowners tried to salvage whatever they could from the raging fire, others resorted to looting. Stationery shopowner on Durga Das Road, Harprit Singh, said goods worth Rs 1.5 lakh were stolen from his shop.

Dhubri deputy commissioner Jatindra Lahakar expressed concern over the frequent incidents of fire in Dhubri town and ordered an inquiry into yesterday’s incident.

“I am serious about frequent incidents of fire in the town and I am ordering an inquiry and want to see what comes out of the investigations before I chalk out the next step.”

Manik Talukdar, president of the Dhubri Janata Hawkers’ Market, said: “There is a definite conspiracy behind the fires which should be properly investigated and the guilty brought to book.”