One feared drowned in boat accident near Ropar

Ropar, Aug 17 (UNI) A teenaged girl was missing after some women pilgrims fell into river Sutlej today while disembarking from an overcrowded boat near Noorpur Bedi in the district.

According to DSP Ropar Didar Singh, the pilgrims, on way to the popular annual fair of Baba Pir Zinda Shahid, had overcrowded the boat. When the boatman refused to ferry them some passengers hurriedly tried to alight from one side, unbalancing the boat.

''Four women who fell into the water were promptly rescued by the local people but one girl named Ashia is still missing. She hails from the adjoining Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. Her parents are safe,'' the DSP told UNI.

The boat with a capacity of 25 was boarded by over 35 pilgrims at 1030 hrs but a major tragedy was averted with the boatman refusing to leave the river bank.

''Had the accident taken place mid-stream, it could have been a major tragedy,'' Mr Singh said.

Senior police and administrative officials has rushed to the accident site.

UNI JN PA ND1544