Four drown after boat overturns in Narmada

Jabalpur, Jan 15 (PTI) Four persons drowned and threeothers, including a father and his son, are missing as a boatcarrying them capsized in river Narmada near here today,the police said.

The boat was carrying 25 persons, of which 18 wererescued, the police said.

The mishap occurred when the victims were enjoying aboat-ride.

A team of 12 divers are searching for those missing.

The police said a case of alleged criminal negligence hasbeen filed against the boatman as the boat was carrying morepeople than its capacity. The boatman is absconding.

Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry Minister Ajay Vishnoiannounced a reward of Rs 2000 each for the divers for rescuingthe people.

The family members of the deceased will be given afinancial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each, the minister said.

Vishnoi has asked the authorities to stop the releaseof Bargi dam water downstream where the search is on for thethree missing persons.