The police on Saturday arrested Ramesh Kumar Agarwal, president of the local lions Club, in connection with the Hirakud Dam reservoir boat tragedy after an administrative probe into the incident held him responsible for it on account of his improper planning in organising the picnic and encouraging the members of the lions Club to take part in it without ensuring their safety and security.
The tragedy claimed the lives of as many as 31 persons.Agarwal has been charged under Sections 114, 280, 282 and 304 (A) of the IPC, police sources said.Family members of the deceased had blamed Agarwal for forcing the boatman to carry all the lions Club members in one go, which was beyond the capacity of the vessel. The boat capsised while it was carrying more than 100 people against its maximum capacity of 70.
The State Government had ordered an inquiry by the RDC on February 24 and asked the RDC to probe three angles: the cause of the mishap, the persons responsible for the tragedy and measures to be taken to prevent recurrence of such mishaps in future.