Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday banned single-engine boats and ordered the police to file a criminal case in connection with the boat capsize in the Brahmaputra in Jorhat district. One woman died in the mishap in which the search for two who went missing is still continuing.
Sarma told reporters that the initial probe by senior officials have found negligence to be the key reason for the accident, adding a high-level probe will be launched into the case within a few hours.
"I have asked the Jorhat Police to file a criminal case for the accident. By today evening, we will announce a high-level probe to find out the reasons behind the accident," he said.
The chief minister also announced that all single-engine boats will be banned from plying between Nimati Ghat in Jorhat on the southern bank of Brahmaputra to Majuli, the world's largest river island, from today.
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There were 10 single-engine boats operating on the stretch. Sarma said his government will encourage its owners to install marine engines in those boats. According to Sarma, a marine engine costs around Rs10 lakh. "Of this, the government will provide 75 per cent of the cost as subsidy and the rest 25 per cent as a loan. They (single-engine owners) can start applying at the district deputy commissioner's office from today itself," he said.
According to the chief minister, 90 people were travelling on the boat 'MB Tipkai' that started from Majuli. It collided with another vessel Ma Kamala', that was leaving from Nimati Ghat, Jorhat, at Nimati Ghat at around 4 pm, and capsized. Of them, 87 were rescued while the 30-year-old woman, who was rescued, died during treatment at a hospital.
