Chilika Boat Capsize: Boat Owner Among Four Arrested

Balugan: A day after a boat capsized in Chilika Lake, injuring six passengers, Balugaon police on Monday arrested four persons including the boat owner and forwarded them to court.

Acting on information by Chilika Tehsildar and Chilika Fisheries Officer, police arrested Ashok Kumar Jali, Shatrughna Jali, Bisekh Jali and Nabaghana Jali.

Following the incident, the local administration has decided to verify the license, fitness certificates and safety equipment life jackets and buoys in each boat from Tuesday.

The incident had taken place at about 5 pm when a fishing boat carrying 18 picnickers from Barakul, Chandraput and Ankula villages capsized in Chilika Lake. However, some fishermen in the nearby area of the lake rushed to the spot and rescued six passengers while the Fire Services and ODRAF personnel rescued the remaining passengers.

Of the six seriously injured passengers admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Balugan, one was shifted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar after his condition became critical.