3 missing in boat capsize in Hailakandi; rescue operation on

Hailakandi, October 29, 2018:

Rescue operations resumed at the break of the dawn today to trace the three person who have been missing after a boat capsized in the Katakhal river in Hailakandi district on Sunday evening.

Deep divers from Silchar joined the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the search operation on Monday.

Three persons went missing while 30 others managed to swim to safety in the mishap.

The missing persons have been identified as Sumit Parsi (27) and his brother Ajay Parsi (22) and Ramesh Parsi (38).

The boat was on its way to North Jyotsnabad across the Katakhal river from Lalamukh ferry ghat when it overturned in rough weather.

The SDRF was pressed into service but after several rounds, the search operation was suspended on Sunday as darkness descended. Assam Police personnel also supervised the rescue operation.

The Hailakandi district administration had ordered for immediate arrest of the ferry ghat lessee Naimuddin Laskar.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan has expressed grief over the tragic accident and assured all possible help and support to the families of those missing. Khan said he had requested the NDRF Commandant in Guwahati to supplement the efforts of SDRF engaged in search operation of the missing. The Deputy Commissioner said the administration will leave no stone unturned in the rescue operation.