Monday, April 18 2005 18:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Taking serious note of drowning of 68 people in Narmada river during Dharaji fair in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh Government today (Apr 18, 2005) suspended four officials and transferred two for alleged lapses.

Dewas Superintendent of Police R K Choudhury was shifted to the State police headquarters in Bhopal and Shahdol SP Anshuman Yadav was posted in his place, while Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM), S M Markam was transferred to Balaghat, official sources in Bhopal said.

Initiating stern action, the Government also suspended Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bagli, Jagdish Gome and its Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Ashok Bhandari, sources said.

Similarly, Bagli Tehsildar Umrao Singh Romde and Chief Executive Officer of Bagli Janpad Panchayat, Mohan Singh Baskle were also suspended for alleged failure to take adequate precautionary measures during the fair and departmental probe ordered against them, they said.

Earlier, on the basis of preliminary inquiry, Dewas District Collector Ashish Shrivastava was transferred to Bhopal.

Disciplinary action would be taken against other senior officers after the high-level committee probing the incident submits its report, sources said.

The Government took a serious view of the fact that despite a large number of people taking part in Dharaji fair on the occasion of 'Bhutadi Amavasya' on April 7, administration and police failed to take adequate precautionary measures leading to the tragedy in which 68 people died, sources added.