A massive fire gutted about 30 shops near the foothills of Kondagattu in Mallial mandal late Saturday night. The blaze, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit, spread through toy and general stores along the Jagtial–Karimnagar road. Shopkeepers alleged that a delay in fire tenders worsened the damage, while devotees criticised the absence of a dedicated fire engine at the Kondagattu temple.
"Except clashes between activists of political parties, nothing would happen with political rivalry. Parties should do politics at the time of election only," the Minister said
