Assam ferry mishap: Search operations still on in Dhubri

Guwahati/Dhubri: Search operations in Assam’s boat tragedy at Dhubri continued for the eighth day today with the army, NDRF and BSF trying to trace victims. Police said no bodies were found either yesterday or today. Bodies of 38 victims have been recovered, according to official figures. [caption id=“attachment_301252” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Bodies of 38 victims have been recovered, according to official figures. Screengrab from IBNlive.com”]  [/caption] The state government has said there were 205 persons who had booked their tickets in the ill-fated ferry from Medertary while only 42 victims have been registered as officially missing. Government spokesman Rockybul Hussain said yesterday that the exact number of passengers feared dead could not be officially declared as long as the relatives of those missing do not register their names with the district administration. Meanwhile, to stop the practice of plying of overloaded ferries on the Brahmaputra, the state transport department has instructed district transport officers and enforcement staff to take strict action and impose fines as per the Motor Vehicles Act. PTI