Villagers resorted to vandalism and arson after a boat capsized in the Yamuna river, claiming 22 lives, in Bhagpat on Thursday.
Accorsding to media reports, protesting villagers blocked Delhi-Sharanpur highway and burned several vehicles. They also resorted to stone pelting.
Earlier, an overloaded boat sank close to Katha village, 20 km from the district in which least 22 people drowned and many others went missing. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been mobilsed to Katha village.
“The boat was ferrying 60 passengers more than its capacity. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were women. As soon as the boat reached mid-stream it capsized,” the district magistrate Bhawani Singh said.
Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel have fished out 22 bodies and 10 others have been rescued so far, he said.
A search operation were underway to trace other passengers.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident.
In a tweet, he issued instructions that the kin of the deceased be given Rs 2 lakh as relief from the chief minister’s relief fund.
President Ram Nath Kovind also condoled the loss of lives in the Baghpat boat tragedy and wished “quick recovery” to the rescued.
Sad to hear about Baghpat boat tragedy. Heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Wishing quick recovery to those rescued #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 14, 2017