Odisha boat capsize toll rises to 6

Two more bodies were fished out here today after a boat capsized on Monday, taking the toll to six.
The personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire brigade recovered bodies of Kalia Mohanty and Babina Rout from Kirtanpur ghat in the morning.
The two belong to Surapratappur village under Bhuban block in the district, police said.
While bodies of Satyanarayan Swain (9), Sipan Mohanty (9) and Sagarika Mallick (17) were fished out from the river yesterday, one Rubina Rout (19), who was rescued alive, had died in hospital on the day of the accident.
A boat carrying 35-40 people capsized in Brahmani river near Chandipal ghat when the residents of Surapratappur were going to Daudeswar Shiva temple in Gondia for Mahashivratri celebrations.

Meanwhile, the state government has handed over a cheque of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the four whose bodies were retrieved by Tuesday, police said.
Kamakhyanagar police have lodged a complaint against the boatman, identified as Bauribandhu Behera, and his assistance, police said, adding the boatman is absconding.