Abohar, April 12: A somber atmosphere prevailed across Punjab on Saturday as the state began laying to rest the victims of the Yamuna boat capsizing. The discovery of an 11th body, belonging to a salesman from Abohar, confirmed the rising toll of the accident that occurred Friday afternoon in Vrindavan.
Ambulances provided by the Uttar Pradesh government transported the deceased to their respective hometowns early Saturday morning, escorted by Mathura district officials. In Ludhiana’s Dugri area, preparations were finalized for the funerals of Rakesh Gulati, his wife Anju Gulati, and Meenu Bansal. Local residents stated that the Gulatis were frequent visitors to the holy city.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while meeting with grieving families in Jagraon, affirmed the state’s commitment to honoring those lost. He stated that the Almighty should grant strength to the families to bear the irreparable loss. “I pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls,” Mann declared. He noted that a memorial would be established to keep the memories of the victims alive.
The Chief Minister asserted that accountability is a priority, stating that he has taken up the matter of safety protocols with the Uttar Pradesh administration. He affirmed that the dispatch of Punjab-based divers was a necessary step to bolster the local rescue infrastructure. Meanwhile, the search persists for at least one other individual, as confirmed by Nikhil Bansal, who stated that his sister remains missing while his mother’s body has been recovered.
Public figures including Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and various legislators joined the mourners to pay their respects. Local MLA Saravjit Kaur Manuke described the event as a “black day” for the region. The pilgrims had departed for their journey just two days prior, an excursion that has now ended in widespread mourning across the state’s Malwa region.
