Students tragedy: Bodies of 5 students fished out, 20 others missing

(HP), June 9: Rescuers on Monday fished out bodies of five

-based engineering

, who were washed away in the swirling waters of Beas river along with 20 classmates whose fate is not known as Chief minister Virbhadra Singh ordered a magisterial inquiry and suspension of Resident Engineer of Larji hydropower project.

The Home Ministry has sought a report from the state on the incident in which 25 students, who were taking photographs on the bank of Beas, were washed away last evening when the discharge of water in the river suddenly increased due to release of water from the reservoir of 126 MW Larji hydropower project.

Teams of SSB, assisted by police, homeguard and local divers and rafters intensified search operations in the area from Thalout to Pandoh dam.

Five bodies including that of three boys and two girls have been recovered, SSB officials at Control Room at Mandi said. Officials fear that the chances of survival of the missing students is slim as the river current is strong and presence of silt and waste.

"The high discharge of water and shortage of boats is causing some problem but we have list of missing persons and hope to recover the bodies. Our jawans are moving in boats and strict vigil is being maintained along the banks of Beas and NDRF teams and divers from BBMB have also reached the spot," the officials said.

Taking serious note of the matter, the Chief minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry by Divisional commissioner, Mandi, to fix responsibility for the tragedy and suggest measure to stop recurrence of such incidents.

The Chief Minister has also ordered suspension of the Resident Engineer and a case has been registered against the staff for negligence and not forewarning the people before releasing water from the dam.

Terming the incident as unfortunate, the Chief Minister said, "Students had come with teachers. I think the teachers should have taken precaution that the students did not go to the river bed. But anyway I do not want to blame anybody".

PTI