19 bodies fished out of Bhagirathi river

Nineteen bodies, including those of six children and eight women, have so far been fished out from Bhagirathi river in Burdwan district in which an overcrowded boat sank on Saturday night.
"A total of 19 bodies have been fished out of which 18 have been identified," a government statement said today.
A 65-year-old woman, Taranga Debnath from Nadia, is still reported to be missing and the district disaster management team, NDRF and police are jointly conducting a search operation to find her.
The children's bodies have been identified to be those of Avik Biswas (4), Rina Halder (9), Sonali Biswas (13), Parikhit Roy (9), Laxmi Barman (6), and Bristi Biswas (7), it said.

The identified bodies have been handed over to their families after necessary formalities, it said.
Other passengers of the boat were rescued safely and medical assistance provided at the Kalna sub-division hospital, it added.

The government has announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of kin of each of the deceased.
The boat was ferrying about 55 people, much above its capacity, and overturned in the river when it was on its way back to Shantipur in Nadia district carrying passengers from a fair at Kalna in Burdwan district on the opposite bank.
The accident had sparked violent protest in Nadia district yesterday during which several boats were torched and police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to quell the mob.