NARAYANGANJ. Apr 3: The fire that gutted nine jute godowns in the Popular Jute Exchange here on Monday morning was pre-planned and an act of sabotage, said the sources quoting the Enquiry Committee report submitted to the government today.

During the investigation, the committee concentrated on the cause of the fire, identifying the culprits and the extent of damage According to the sources, the fire did not occur due to any electrical short-circuit or accident. It was a "well-planned" and "deliberate" act

"Considering the tight security arrangements, it was not possible for an outsider to go inside the company premises unless helped by someone from within." another source said.

The committee, however, could not identify the culprits but the source said different government organisations were still investigating the matter "It is a matter of time before the culprits are picked up." the source further said

About the extent ot damage, the source said the Fire Brigade

was investigating to determine the damage. The documents produced by the Popular Jute Mills which contained their version ol the extent of damage were submitted with the report." he said.

The Deputy Commissioner ol Narayanganj. AK Fazlul Ahad, talking to this corre spondent admitted sending the probe report to the ministry concerned but declined give de-

riom rage 1 tails.

A source in the CID quoting their Investigation report, -submitted to the Ministry1 of Home Affairs yesterday said, godowns were set on fire by "people inside the company premises."

Of the nine godowns four were mortgaged to the Agrani Bank. A bank official, when asked about alleged irregularities in maintaining Its godowns, said the Bank was . conducting two separate investigations into the matter.