Nitin Batham, the man who saved eight lives from drowning during the Ganpati Visarjan in Bhopal, was rewarded for his bravery on Thursday. Nitin was present at the Chhota Talab near the Khatalpur Ghat, Bhopal, when a boat capsized during Ganesh immersion. The district administration rewarded Nitin Batham with Rs 50,000 cheque, a government job, and has also recommended his name for a gallantry award.

Nitin Bathman's comment

"I was watching the immersion of idols. Suddenly I saw the two boats losing their balance. I immediately jumped on to a boat and sailed to the accident spot to save people. I wish I could have saved all of them. I have been a swimmer in my teens and also know sailing. Nowadays, I sell fish in Chola area here," he said to PTI.

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Bhopal Boat tragedy 

On Friday, bodies of 11 people were recovered at Khatlapura Ghat in Bhopal after the boat they were in capsized on the morning of September 13. The people had set out for Ganpati Visarjan when the incident happened. According to reports, the incident took place at around 4:30 am.

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"Five people have been rescued out of 16 and we have recovered 11 bodies till now. A search operation is underway and we are trying to rescue other people as well. According to the locals, only these many people had drowned here, but we are still searching in case we find some other people," Akhil Patel, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) said early on yesterday morning. He added that at least 40 police personnel were present at the spot along with other authorities and professional swimmers. "State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) team is also present at the spot," the ASP stated on Friday.

CM Kamal Nath orders magisterial inquiry

The Office of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath on Twitter on Friday said that the news of 11 people drowning in Khatlapura Ghat in Bhopal is saddening. The tweet further assured the citizens that the government is with the families of the victims. Promising to take action, the CM's office stated that whoever was negligent will not be spared. Kamal Nath also instructed a magisterial inquiry into the incident and promised all the aggrieved that compensation amounting to Rs. 11 lakhs will be given.

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