Tractor carrying Durga idols for immersion plunges into lake in Khandwa; 10 devotees dead
Indore (PTI): At least 10 devotees, three of them minors, died after a tractor-trolley carrying idols of Goddess Durga for immersion on Vijayadashmi plunged into a lake in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, police said.
Three injured persons were rescued and admitted to hospital, a district health official said, adding nearly 30 devotees were on board the ill-fated tractor-trolley.
The tragedy took place in the Pandhana area when devotees were riding on the tractor which was carrying Goddess Durga idols from various villages for immersion, Inspector General of Police (Indore rural range) Anurag told PTI.
So far, 10 bodies, three of them of minors, have retrieved with the help of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and local divers, he said, adding a search and rescue operation was going on at the site.
An additional SDRF team has been sent to the spot, the IPS officer informed.
"We have learnt that five to six devotees have survived," the IG said, adding a probe was launched into the accident.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the tragedy and announced on social media platform 'X' that the state government will pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr OP Jugtawat said three injured persons were rescued and admitted to the Khanda district hospital.
He said about 30 devotees of varying ages were on board the tractor-trolley at the time of the accident.
Eyewitnesses said panic ensued immediately after the vehicle fell into the lake with people frantically searching for their relatives. A large crowd of villagers gathered at the site and assisted in the rescue operation.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
