Bodies of 35 pilgrims recovered in MP

DATIA (Madhya Pradesh): Bodies of 35 pilgrims, who were washed away by strong currents in Sindh river at Ratangarh, were recovered, even as the state government on Monday announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to kin of deceased and ordered a high-level probe into it, official source said.

"Bodies of as many as 35 pilgrims, mostly women, who were swept away in the river on Sunday, have been recovered during the operation," Deputy Inspector General of Police DC Sagar said.

"Among the deceased were 20 women and a child," official sources said, adding that nine persons have been identified.

While relatives of missing pilgrims anxiously waited on the river banks, senior officials monitored the operation in the remote area, nearly 80 km from here, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police CR Chandoria said.

The pilgrims were crossing the river to attend a ritual on the ninth day of the Durga festival at the Mandula Devi temple, when water was allegedly released from Manikheda dam, in adjoining Shivpuri district, leading to the mishap, sources said.

Announcing the compensation to the kin of the deceased, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the state home secretary to conduct a probe the circumstances that led to the incident and promised action against the guilty.

The state Congress termed the steps as inadequate and demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased and a judicial probe into the mishap, alleging that there was a sudden release of water from the dam without warning.