Kohima, March 2: Three women were killed and a man sustained burn injuries during jhum cultivation in Tuensang district of Nagaland late on Tuesday.

Every year in January and February, farmers slash and burn forests, locally known as jhum, to prepare the fields for cultivation. The fires even spread to National Highway 39 linking Dimapur and Kohima, between Piphema and Medziphema villages.

The fire started from Chimonger village and spread to neighbouring Yimrup and gutted 107 houses, a church, a school as well as a village guard camp. Four .303 rifles and two private vehicles were also burnt.

The injured man was admitted to the civil hospital in Tuensang. Several domestic animals died in the fire. Only the house of the village council chairman was spared as it is situated on the outskirts of the village.

The same day, another fire triggered by jhum gutted at least 18 houses at Mekuli village in Mokokchung district. However, there were no reports of any loss of life.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has warned villagers that burning of forests will invite fines. The district administration here has already announced that villagers burning forests would be fined Rs 50,000.

The Tuensang district administration has arranged for food and essential commodities for the displaced.