North Lakhimpur: Three people, including a 45-year-old woman and her 11-year-old nephew, drowned after a boat overturned in the Mer Beel wetland at Ghilamora in Assam’s Lakhimpur district on Sunday morning.
The incident took place at around 9 am when the three were crossing the wetland to take their cattle for grazing at Kathoni Mer Beel, situated on the opposite side of the waterbody. The boat reportedly overturned midway, plunging all three occupants into the water.
The deceased were identified as Padma Dutta, 45, her nephew Mridushmin Dutta, 11, and their neighbour Ajeet Dutta, 22. All three belonged to Deoliya village under Ghilamora Police Station.
After the boat capsized, villagers immediately began a search and rescue operation and subsequently recovered the bodies from the wetland. Police later shifted the bodies to a hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Residents suspect that the boat may have become caught in fishing nets submerged in the wetland, causing it to become unstable and overturn. However, authorities have not yet established the exact cause of the accident.
The deaths have triggered grief in Deoliya village and nearby areas, with the incident leaving residents shocked.