Ratangarh: CM anguished; collector, SP removed

Ratangarh, MP, Oct 3 (UNI) Anguished over 37 pilgrims being washed away in the Sindh river while en route to pay their respects to Ratangarh Wali Mata on the occasion of Durga Navami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached here today, slammed the officialdom, ordered a magisterial probe, suspended the sub-divisional magistrate (revenue) and sub-divisional officer (police).

Official sources said in Bhopal that Datia District Collector M Geeta and Superintendent of Police Pramod Verma were transferred as Gwalior's additional commissioner and commandant, First Battalion, Special Armed Force (SAF), Indore, respectively.

Gwalior's Additional Commissioner Ashok Shivhare will assume Ms Geeta's previous charge and Commandant, 24 Battalion, SAF, Jaora, M K Mudgal will take up Mr Verma's previous post.

Earlier, Mr Chouhan gathered details from Ms Geeta after receiving complaints of administrative carelessness despite information about the presence of several devotees and a Navaratri fair at the temple.

''Just a day earlier, a meeting of police and revenue officials was conducted and directives issued for comprehensive arrangements in view of teeming crowds at Datia's Pitambara Mata shrine and at Ratangarh Wali Mata,'' said Ms Geeta.

Mr Chouhan sought responses from SDM S S Trivedi but the latter could not furnish satisfactory replies to his questions.

''People were being washed away and you just stood there watching?'' the chief minister fumed.

''The collector was informed,'' said Mr Trivedi.

''I received information at 2200 hrs but Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia was paying a visit and I could leave for the site only after she left at about 2230 hrs,'' countered Ms Geeta.

''What rescue measures did you initiate?'' Mr Chouhan asked the SDM but the latter was at a loss for words.

''Was any other official present?'' the chief minister queried.

''SDO(P) C R Chandoria was there,'' replied Mr Verma.

Mr Chouhan summoned him but the official could not present himself before the chief minister immediately.

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