GH boat race turns into tragedy as 10 lose lives

TURA/ GUWAHATI: An entertaining event turned into a tragedy that snuffed out the lives of ten persons, including five children, when a boat race ended in a disaster after three boats capsized during a freak storm on the Sabang beel (wetland) in Goalpara district of Assam bordering West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on Sunday evening.
The boats capsized at two places, namely Kholishabita and Pamerbala in Assam.
While many swam to safety, the ten persons were drowned in the river waters. The victims hailed from Katlamari and Pamerbela villages of Goalpara district in Assam.
They have been identified as Amjad Ali (55), Abdul Karim (32), Mukkaddar Alom (10), Jeleka Khatun (41), Sumaya Yasmin (7), Rohima Begum (40), Sultana Yasmin (6) Selima Yasmin (10), Sorif Ali (8) and Masuma Begum (18).
Three persons were also reported missing prompting a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from Assam to conduct a search operation.
Earlier, unconfirmed reports had indicated that 13 persons died in the tragedy.
The Rs 20,000 prize money race had begun from the Jinjiram river at Nidhanpur in Tikrikilla region of West Garo Hills.
West Garo Hills police have ordered an inquiry into the event given that the organiser of the programme, an elected member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) representing Naguapara constituency, Dhormonath Sangma, did not seek permission from the district authorities for holding the race on the river.
“We have ordered an inquiry to be led by Dadenggre sub-divisional police officer Jeffrey Lyngdoh since the organisers of the boat race did not take any permission,” said West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar.
People who went to witness the event have also complained that no security measures were put in place by the organisers.
The MDC, Sangma could not be contacted.
West Garo Hills district authorities informed that the final round of the boat race was cancelled after a sudden storm hit the area and people were returning home on several boats when the mishap occurred.
The area where the tragedy occurred had also led to confusion with some claiming it to be on the Garo Hills side while others stated it was in Assam.
Kumar however clarified that the incident took place in Assam while people were returning home following the cancellation of the final round of the boat race.
Assam police have also registered a case of unnatural death at Lakhipur police station of Goalpara following the incident.