Navy Admiral starts probe into JK boat tragedy

Srinagar, May 31: Vice Admiral N K Verma, chief of personnel, today arrived here from New Delhi to know the exact cause of the boat tragedy in which 21 students and teacher died yesterday.

Meanwhile, army authorities have also started court of inquiry into the incident, a defence spokesman said.

He said Chief of the personnel of the Indian Navy arrived here from New Delhi to personally offer condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff.

''Vice Admiral Verma will also hand over cheques of Rs 20 lacs for disbursement among the bereaved families,'' the spokesman said.

Elaborating on the developments, he said, a detachment of Naval Marine Commandos is deployed at Wullar Lake to assist the Army in counter insurgency operations.

Preliminary investigation indicate that a group of teachers and students of a private primary school requested for BAUT ( boat Assault) side, which has a capacity to carry 16 fully equipped combat troops plus two crew members.

The school children along with their teachers embarked the BAUT which capsized after covering a distance of 50 to 60 meters from the launch point.

Spokesman said the sailors in the BAUT were able to rescue one teacher and about 12 children.

He said the state government has ordered a judicial probe while a court of inquiry has been ordered by the Army to investigate the incident.

The Indian Navy is committed in providing all assistance to inquiry committee for expeditious investigation.

He said the Navy fully shares the sorrow of the bereaved families and stands committed to provide any assistance in this hour of grief.

UNI

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