Rescuers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search in the Hooghly river where an overcrowded country boat capsized overnight in Burdwan district, West Bengal. Photo: APBurdwan/Krishnagar(WB): Twelve persons went missing after a boat capsized in the river Bhagirathi in Burdwan district, following which a mob set afire several boats in Nadia district on the other side of the river with the police using rubber bullets to control the situation.
“The boat carrying over 50 people returning from a fair at Kalna in Burdwan to Shantipur sank last night,” Burdwan Superintendent of Police Gaurab Sharma said.
“While many people swam to safety, a few people, including two to three children went missing”, he said. He added that rescuers of the Disaster Management Group, civil defence and private divers were pressed into service to find them.
"The boat has been located but we are unable to find out anybody in the water," Sharma said.
“Meanwhile, alleging that the administration delayed in initiating the rescue operation, a group of people from Shantipur torched several boats, trawlers and launches anchored on the bank,” police said.
They also set on fire the office of the ferry-service and pelted stones at policemen injuring two of them, they said.
The policemen fired teargas shells, rubber bullets to disperse the violent protesters, Nadia SP Sheesh Ram Jhajharia said when contacted.
"The situation is normal now. It's under control. Nobody is injured in police action," Jhajharia said.
(With agency inputs)
