Manikaran bus mishap: Girl’s body recovered

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu/Mandi, August 4

Grandfather and uncle of Arshpreet Kaur (11), daughter of Baljinder Singh of Pakhokalan village in Barnala district of Punjab, were inconsolable on seen her body. Her body was recovered near Bajaura in Kullu district today. The deceased’s mother was still among the missing in the tragedy which took place when a private bus plunged into the Parbati river near Sarsari on the Bhuntar-Manikaran road of Kullu district on July 23.

The 52-seater bus was reportedly carrying 69 pilgrims, including 10 children, the driver and the conductor. The death toll of the mishap has risen to 15. The relatives of 31 persons still missing are camping at Kullu in the hope that the mortal remains of their loved ones would be traced.

Kullu hospital authorities said the body of Balwant Singh, son of Lal Singh of Jagaramtirath village in Talwandi tehsil of Punjab, which was found yesterday, was handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem examination and sent to their native place today.

Mandeep Singh, president, Kullu Kar Seva, thanked the hospital authorities and the district administration for their support and assistance.

Meanwhile, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar said the administration had decided to wind up the search operation being carried out by the 12-member team of the Indian Navy in a day or two.

He further said the search for missing persons would however continue with the help of nearly 160 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Shastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Home Guards and the state police.