Guwahati, September 8 (NKTV): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that one person died and two are missing after a private boat capsized following a collusion with another vessel in the Brahmaputra river in Jorhat district. The incident took place around 4 pm near Nimati Ghat on Wednesday.
LIVE UPDATES:
5:05 PM – Over 30 people still missing.
5:07 PM – Rescue divers reach the spot. NDRF commences rescue operation.
5:15 PM – All personal vehicles being transported by the ferry have capsized in the Brahmaputra.
5:32 PM – Seven children rescued.
5:35 PM – Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma expresses deep concern.
5:37 PM – CM directs Minister Bimal Bora to immediately travel to Majuli for taking stock of the situation. The CM to visit Majuli tomorrow.
5:39 PM – BREAKING! 70 people reportedly missing.
5:40 PM – Former CM of Assam and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expresses grief, talks to CM Sarma over phone and takes stock of situation.
6:05 PM – NDRF and SDRF divers find remains of the ferry at the bottom of Brahmaputra.
6:12 PM – No dead body found till now, says SP of Jorhat.
6:25 PM – Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary leaves for Jorhat.
6:37 PM – Governor of Assam Prof. Jagadish Mukhi expresses grief.
7:02 PM – Dr Vikramjit Barua of Garmur Health Centre reportedly missing.
7:08 PM – More than 20 people have been rescued: Jorhat SP.
7:18 PM – One Parmita Das reported dead.
7:40 PM – Rescue operation continues.
8:20 PM – Three officials of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) suspended. Bikramaditya Choudhury, i/c Executive Engineer, IWT, Dibrugarh Division, Mukut Gogoi, i/c Assistant Executive Engineer, IWT, Jorhat Sub-Division and Ratul Tamuli, Junior Engineer, IWT, Jorhat Sub-Division have been placed under suspension.
8:44 PM – 41 people have been rescued: Administration.
8:51 PM – Delegation of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee leaves for Nimatighat.
8:54 PM – Capsized boat floats upside down around 200 metres away from the drowning spot.
9:12 PM – Upper part of the boat to be cut off: CM Sarma. NDRF personnel to enter the boat through the opening.
9:19 PM – List of persons brought from Nimatighat.
10:38 PM – Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia reacts on incident.
11:18 PM – Rupjyoti Kurmi reaches Nimatighat.
11:23 PM – Three people are presently undergoing treatment at Jorhat Medical College: Minister Bimal Bora.
2:00 AM – Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and Jogen Mohan reaches Nimatighat.
6:30 AM – NDRF and SDRF continues rescue operation.
10:00 AM – CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reaches Nimatighat.
10:10 AM – ULFA (I) expresses grief.
01:18 PM – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday ordered the police to file a criminal case in connection with the boat capsize. After visiting the accident site with senior officials, Sarma told reporters that as per the initial probe, mismanagement was found to be the prime reason for the accident.
01:30 PM – Former CM of Assam and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to reach Majuli by today evening.
2:00 PM – Zubeen Garg expresses grief.
2:30 PM – Police and CRPF charge on protesting locals.
3:15 PM – Ajit Kumar Bhuyan reacts on Majuli Tragedy.
4:05 PM – IWT officials need to be beaten up: Durga Das Boro
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
(Curated by Mrinmoy Buragohain)