Judicial probe into tragedy involving pilgrims

Ratangarh, Madhya Pradesh, Oct 3 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court judge into the sudden release of water from a dam into the Sindh river in Datia district causing the death of 37 pilgrims.

Announcing this after a visit to the accident site, the Chief Minister also ordered suspension of Sevda Subdivisional Magistrate S S Trivedi and Sub-Divisional Officer (Police) C R Chandoria for laxity in work. Action against other erring officials was in the offing, he told reporters here.

Mr Chouhan announced a reward of Rs 5,000 each to a few boatmen for rescuing many pilgrims who were washed away, due to sudden release of water from Manikheda dam in Shivpuri district, while crossing the Sindh river at Basai ghat to offer prayers at the Mata Mandir at Ratangarh on other banks of the river on the occasion of Durga Navami on October 1.

Official reports said 37 bodies had already been recovered and 6 were still missing.

He said construction of a bridge on the river would start by November end this year and tenders in this regard would be issued tomorrow. Mr Chouhan was accompanied by Datia District Incharge Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia.

Bharatiya Jan Shakti leader Uma Bharti and Congress leader Jamuna Devi also met the victims and their relatives today.

In a similar tragedy in April, 2005, about 60 pilgrims, many taking bath on the occasion of 'Bhootdi Amavasya', were killed as they were washed away in the Narmada river at Dharaji village in Dewas district in western Madhya Pradesh following sudden release of water from the Indira Sagar dam.

UNI MKS-SP LS DS1630