AIZAWL, March 15 (PTI) - Bush fire in the State has so far claimed seven lives after forest burning for 'jhum' cultivation began last month, official sources said today.
H Lalrintluanga (52), a farmer and one of the fire fighting volunteers of the furious inferno which was approaching Kawnpui village in Kolasib district, fell prey to it on Saturday night, they said.
Fire in the area around Kawnpui and surrounding villages has been raging on for more than a week and the villagers of the affected areas are trying to douse the flames which broke out on March 8.
Village council leaders said that the fire has destroyed vast areas of cultivable lands as well as sugarcane plantations and other horticulture lands.
Four people were killed in the jhum fire last year.
