Confusion over unaccounted passengers
Guwahati: Even as confusion persisted over number of untraced victims of April 30’s ferry-tragedy in western Assam’s Dhubri district, the state government on Sunday informed that 38 bodies have so far been recovered and 15 people reported missing, though it failed to clarify on the status of nearly 200 untraced passengers of the ill-fated boat.
State Cabinet Minister Rakibul Hussain, who was camping at the accident site at Medertari, told reporters here that 38 bodies have been recovered, of which 16 were of male. The bodies included that of 15 minors.
‘As of now, 15 people are still reported missing,’ he said, adding that the number of missing people have come down from the initial 42 as bodies of some of the missing people have been recovered. Thirty-three others were injured in the accident, while about another 40 people are confirmed to have survived, the minister said.
Mr Hussain, however, failed to clarify on the number of untraced people.
He also contradicted the number of ticket-bearing passengers of the ill-fated ferry. The Dhubri deputy commissioner had said 280 tickets were issued for the ferry, though the minister on Sunday, quoting the ticket counter personnel, said 205 tickets were issued.
Quizzed on the status of estimated 200 unaccounted passengers of the boat, Mr Hussain said, ‘We have 15 people reported missing of the accident. If there are more missing people, the family members should report.’ The minister further said the state government has sought a package of Rs 365 crore from the Centre for development of water transport in the entire state.
‘Locals had expressed problems about the state dispensary, condition of roads and ferry service, especially platforms of the jetties, before the chief minister. Accordingly, he has asked the respective departments to compile projects and earmarked the money,’ Mr Hussain added.(UNI)