Assam: One Dead, 35-40 Feared Drowned After Two Boats Collide in Brahmaputra; Probe Ordered

Around 35-40 people are feared drowned after two boats, coming from different directions in Brahmaputra river, on Wednesday collided with each other near Nimati Ghat in Assam’s Jorhat district, according to NDRF Assistant Commandant 12 Battalion. At least 35 people have been rescued so far. One passenger died at Jorhat Medical College. The deceased has been identified as Paromita Das, a 38-year-old teacher.

“A team of NDRF from the 12th Battalion stationed in Sibsagar is already on site while two more teams will reach the spot in another hour or so. Two more NDRF teams stationed at Doimukh town in Arunachal Pradesh are being prepared to help and aide the rescue operation,” the NDRF official said.

SP, Jorhat, Ankur Jain said: “Till now many rescued. Around 35 to 40 missing. (There is) Strong water current… reaching the accident spot is getting difficult.” Police said the rescue operation will continue past midnight.

Here are the latest updates:

— Departmental action has been ordered by the state government with Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary saying that steps will be taken against those found guilty. The minister is also on the way to the accident site to take stock of the situation, and is also closely monitoring the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Secretary, Transport, Jadav Saikia has been directed to inquire into the accident.

— Senior officials have also rushed to the spot as directed by the minister immediately after the accident. The team has been sent from Guwahati to coordinate the relief and rescue operations at the ghat.

— Three officials namely – Bikramaditya Choudhury, Executive Engineer, IWT, Dibrugarh Division, Mukut Gogoi, Assistant Executive Engineer, IWT, Jorhat Sub-Division and Ratul Tamuli, Junior Engineer, IWT, Jorhat Sub-Division — have been placed under suspension.

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and added that all possible efforts would be made to rescue the passengers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed anguish over the incident.

— Following the tragic incident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep concern and directed the district administration of Majuli and Jorhat districts to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with the help of NDRF and SDRF teams.

— He has also directed state minister Bimal Bora to immediately visit Majuli to take stock of the situation and asked Principal Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha to monitor the developments round-the-clock.

— Sarma also informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah called to enquire about the accident and took an update on the rescue operations and conditions of those rescued so far. Shah also assured that the Centre is ready to lend all possible help, he said.

The Chief Minister will visit Majuli on Thursday to assess the situation.

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