The Hindu : Other States / Madhya Pradesh News : Narmada toll mounts to 22; probe ordered

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Monday, Apr 11, 2005

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Narmada toll mounts to 22; probe ordered

BHOPAL, APRIL 10. Madhya Pradesh Government today asked a high-level committee to probe the release of water from Indira Sagar dam in Khandwa district, while the toll has mounted to 22 in the drowning incident of April 7 during a fair at Dharaji near Dewas. Thirteen bodies were recovered today from the Narmada river while 35 persons were still missing, official sources said.

``We cannot rule out further increase in the death toll and also in the number of missing persons. But we cannot tell the exact number of missing persons as the people are still searching their near and dear ones,'' Ujjain Division Commissioner Jaideep Govind told PTI in Dewas.

Chief Minister Babulal Gaur has asked the high-level probe Committee, headed by Water Resources Principal Secretary Arvind Joshi, to submit a report on the incident within 15 days, an official release said here.

Necessary action would be taken on the basis of the inquiry report of the committee which would include officials like engineer-in-chief and chief engineer (Indore) of Water Resources Department, it added.

The Ujjain Range IG, Anil Kumar, has rushed to the spot while Mr. Gaur is scheduled to visit Dharaji tomorrow to assess the situation. The government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 for those who died in the tragedy.

The tragedy occurred when some persons, taking a holy dip on the occasion of `Bhutadi Amavasya mela', were swept away following sudden rise in the water level, reportedly due to release of water from Indira Sagar dam. -- PTI

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