West Bengal boat capsize toll rises to 20

Kolkata, May 17: One more body was fished out on Tuesday, (May 17) taking to 20 the deaths in last week's boat capsize in the Hoogly river in West Bengal's Burdwan district, an official said.

An overcrowded boat sank last Saturday night near the Kalna Ghat in Burdwan while on its way to Shantipur in Nadia district.Till Monday 19 bodies were retrieved.

"So far 20 bodies have been recovered, they include six children," said Saumitra Mohan, district Mmagistrate of Burdwan. He added that search operations were underway.

The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh each for the kin of the victims.

On Sunday, Nrisinghapur Ghat jetty in Shantipur was witness to violence after an angry mob upset over alleged delay in rescue operations, set on fire boats and pelted stones at police, injuring two of them.

Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Several people have been arrested or detained for violence.The administration, however, denied any delay in the search and rescue operation.

IANS