The market caught fire around 9 p.m. and the authorities were unable to identify what caused the fire. While no one was injured, all the goods were reduced to ashes.

"There was no chance of salvaging the goods. Mercifully no one was injured in the fire. It was set on fire by the authorities, " a local alleged to Khonumthung News.

Pakokku Market has met the same fate as Tahan and LetpanChaung Markets. These too caught fire and when the fire services arrived the markets were gutted.

A local told Khonumthung News over telephone that it is hard to calculate the value of goods burnt. But Pakokku Market is bigger than Tahan and LetpanChaung markets, so the losses would be more.

There was no official response from the authorities on the fire. Neither has a reconstruction project or compensation been discussed.

"They set fire to the market as they plan to build for the army," the local alleged.

Chin traders own most shops in Kaley and Tahan Markets in Sangaing Division and Pakokku Market in Magwe Division as the markets are in Chin state. – KNG.