The Hasina villagers under Kujanga block on Thursday remembered the tragic Nipania boat capsize incident which occurred a year ago in the Mahanadi. The villagers paid tribute to the 10 people who had died in the incident.
On January 1 last year, about 55 people from 14 families of Hasina village had gone to Hokitola island across Mahanadi river for observing a New Year picnic. While returning home, the ill-fated country boat, Maa Mangala, had capsized at Nipania under Batighar Panchayat in Kendrapada district. As a result, nine people from Hasina village and one person from Gandikipur village had reportedly died and nine others were critically injured.
According to one Askhay Swain who lost his wife Parbati, daughter Sarmista and niece Susri Pallavi, the horrible and heart-wrenching memory was still fresh. While kin of a few deceased told that the compensation they received had been insufficient, many said the tall promise given by the State Government had proved hollow.