Acting on a complaint filed by rights activist Akhand over boat tragedy in Hirakud Dam Reservoir (HDR) in which 31 persons were killed last month, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Chief Secretary to submit an action-taken report (ATR) in the matter within four weeks.
The petitioner alleged that the tragedy happened due to the negligence of the district administration. Notably, at least 31 people had died after a country boat carrying picnickers from Sambalpur town capsized due to overloading in HDR on February 9. Tragedy struck when at least 70 members of lions Club and 50 others were returning back to Sonutikra Ghat. About 30 motorcycles were also being transported in the boat.
“Because of some technical snag in the boat motor, the boat could not move and began to sway unsteadily in the middle of the HDR. After many demand, the state Government has not taken any safety measures in the boat in various river ghats of the State. This type of accident is occurred frequently in Odisha,” the petitioner alleged.
The petitioner further alleged that the indigenous boats neither have no licence nor have any insurance, registration. No quality control mechanism or fitness certificate is issued to such boats by the administration. No life jackets are provided to the passengers in the boats. So when any accident happens, many lives are lost,” stated petitioner Akhand.
The petitioner urged the Commission to ask the Government to ensure safety measure in various river Ghats, besides giving compensation of `5 lakh each to the victim’s family and action and penalty against the erring officials.